PRE-ARRIVAL GUIDE - #ASTONFRESHERS #ASTONWELCOMEWEEK - ASTON ...

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PRE-ARRIVAL GUIDE - #ASTONFRESHERS #ASTONWELCOMEWEEK - ASTON ...
#AstonFreshers
                           #AstonWelcomeWeek

    LC O M E
WTEO ASTON              e
          i v a l G u id
  Pre-Arr
PRE-ARRIVAL GUIDE - #ASTONFRESHERS #ASTONWELCOMEWEEK - ASTON ...
E
                                                                                                             Key Dates*

   L CO M
WEASTON
                                                                                                            FIRST TERM
                                                                                                            (New Students)
                                                                                                            21 September to
                                                                                                            19 December 2020

                                                                                                            (Returning students)

TO RSITY
                                                                                                            28 September 2020 to
                                                                                                            19 December 2020

   VE
                                                                                                            SECOND TERM

UNI                                                                                                         10 January to 1 April 2021

                                                                                                            THIRD TERM
                                                                                                            25 April to 12 June 2021

                                                                                                            * Please note that whilst
                                                                                                            term dates are correct at the
                                                                                                            time of publication they may
                                                                                                            be subject to change.
    We would like to take this                      Contents
    opportunity to welcome you to Aston                                                                     Find information here:
                                                    1   Key dates                                           https://www2.aston.ac.uk/
    University and this guide provides                                                                      about/termdates
                                                    2   What to bring if you are an international student
    you with all the information you need
                                                    3   What you don’t need to bring with you
    to know to make your on-boarding a
                                                    4   Accommodation
    smooth process.
                                                    6   Enrolment and arriving on campus
                                                    7   Post-arrival checklist
    Things will work a little differently this      8   Life at Aston
    September, given the current pandemic,          11 Student support
    but our team of friendly staff are still here   12 Healthcare and student wellbeing
    to support you every step of the way and        14 Additional information
    can’t wait to welcome you to Aston.             15 Aston students’ union

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PRE-ARRIVAL GUIDE - #ASTONFRESHERS #ASTONWELCOMEWEEK - ASTON ...
BRIN G                                                                                  DON’T
       T TO                                                                                     YO U
 WH  A
       U  AR E A N                                                                         WHAT TO BRING
     O
 IF Y NATIONAL                                                                             NEED YOU
 INT ER                                                                                    WITH
        EN T
 STUD
                                              Laptop and electrical appliances            Your entire wardrobe                            Food
  What to pack                                The standard electricity supply in the      The UK has a temperate climate. While           The local markets in Birmingham sell
                                              UK is 230V and the standard outlet is       you can bring lightweight summer                many different foods from around the
                                              a 3 pin plug. If you are bringing your      and winter wear, you can easily buy             world, so you’re sure to find some
                                              laptop and other electrical items to the    windproof jackets in the UK that are            home comforts.
Passport and visa
                                              UK, make sure to pack some adaptor          cheap and offer superior quality.
Don’t forget these, otherwise you won’t       plugs too. Electrical appliances are                                                        Restricted/prohibited items
even be able to get in to the UK! Also        relatively cheap in the UK, so don’t        Since our campus is located in
pack copies of your CAS (Tier 4 visa          worry if you don’t have enough room in      Birmingham city centre, there is a huge         You can bring limited amounts of some
holders) and your financial evidence          your bag.                                   range of clothing shops available to suit       items like alcohol and cigarettes to the
in case you need to show these at                                                         every budget.                                   UK. Other items such as fresh food is
                                                                                                                                          completely prohibited. Please make
the border. If you are not an UK or EU        Medical/optical prescriptions
                                                                                                                                          sure you do not bring any prohibited
passport holder, please bring along                                                       Kitchen equipment
your visa.                                    If you’re receiving medical care, speak                                                     items with you.
                                              to your doctor before you leave home to     This will take up lots of space in your
                                              get information to pass onto your new       luggage and is cheap to buy here – you
Clothing
                                              doctor in the UK. If you wear glasses,      can even buy specialist items like rice
The weather in Birmingham can be              bring a copy of your prescription in case   cookers.
unpredictable, even in summer! Bring          you need to get new glasses or contact
some layers of lightweight clothing, as       lenses while you are here.
days can start off cool and get warmer,
and make sure to include a waterproof         Things from home
jacket. The style is generally casual,
but bring some smart clothes or your          Pack some photos and things that will
country’s traditional dress for more          brighten up your room and remind you
formal events.                                of home. Make sure to bring a camera
                                              so that you can add photos of all your
                                              new friends and experiences!

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PRE-ARRIVAL GUIDE - #ASTONFRESHERS #ASTONWELCOMEWEEK - ASTON ...
DATION
       OMMO
    ACC
Campus accommodation                        -	Toilet roll                              Private accommodation                         Aston Student Homes (ASH)
                                            -	Toiletries such as shampoo,
What’s included                                conditioner and shower gel               Short term lets are not as easy to find       ASH is the official Students’ Union
                                            -	Toothbrush and toothpaste                as long term lets, and you may need to        accommodation support service.
All campus accommodation contains:                                                      look at areas further from the campus.        Check the website www.astonsu.
                                            -	A mattress cover, bed linen and
                                               pillows                                  Please seek advice and start your             com/housing/astonstudenthomes
-   Fridges and freezers                                                                search early.                                 for available rooms by clicking on
                                            -	A laundry basket or bag
-   Ovens and hobs                                                                                                                    ‘accommodation search’ or
                                            -	Coat hangers
-   Sinks                                                                               Alternative off-campus accommodation          ‘find a flatmate’.
                                            -	Mobile phone charger and laptop
-   Kettles or water boilers                                                            types:
                                               charger
-   Microwaves                                                                                                                        ASH also offers an accommodation
                                            -	Converter plug (if any of your
-   Toasters                                                                            -	Private student halls                      contract checking service through the
                                               appliances have non-European plugs)
-   Tables and chairs                       -	Extension cable                          -	Shared house                               Advice and Representation Centre in
-   Cupboards                               -	Umbrella                                 -	Flats/Studios                              the Students’ Union. Once you have
-   Waste and recycling bins                -	Rice cooker (this is easily purchased    -	Homestay Landlords                         found accommodation (especially if
-   A bed and mattress                         in the UK)                                                                             it is through a private landlord), we
-   Desk and chair                                                                                                                    recommend that you contact one of the
-   Wardrobe/storage                        For more information visit: https://                                                      advisers to check the contract before
-   Curtains                                www2.aston.ac.uk/accommodation                                                            you sign it – this will help to avoid any
-   Desk lighting                                                                                                                     issues or disputes after you move in.
-   Shelving                                Read about safety measures in place at
                                            Unite Accommodation:                                                                      Please email:
If you have an ensuite, you will also       https://www.unitestudents.com/the-                                                        astonstudenthomes@aston.ac.uk
have:                                       common-room/health-and-wellbeing/                                                         to book an appointment with an
                                            an-update-from-us-on-covid-19                                                             adviser.
-   A shower and/or bath
-   Toilet                                  What not to bring to your                                                                 Being an international student it’s a
-   Sink                                                                                                                              good idea to arrive in the UK early so
                                            accommodation
-   A mirror                                                                                                                          that you can view properties and make
                                            -	Large items or lots of stuff – storage                                                 arrangements in person. Remember to
What to bring to your                          space is limited so don’t bring large                                                  book some temporary accommodation
accommodation                                  TVs, your own furniture or lots of                                                     for when you first arrive in the UK.
                                               personal belongings
- Crockery and cutlery                      -	Candles, burners and fairy lights –
- Saucepans and a frying pan                   don’t bring anything that could be a
-	Kitchen utensils such as a cheese           fire hazard, e.g. oil burners, a chip
   grater and a tin opener                     pan or portable heaters
-	Tea towels, oven gloves and a dish       -	Ashtrays – You cannot smoke in
   cloth                                       campus accommodation

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PRE-ARRIVAL GUIDE - #ASTONFRESHERS #ASTONWELCOMEWEEK - ASTON ...
L M EN  T                                                                                      LMENT
 ENRO       V IN  G                                                                            T-ENRO
      AR RI                                                                                   S
                                                                                            PO KLIST
 AND MPUS rol                                                                               CHEC
 ON CA      t o e n
        How                                                                                 Install myAston app, Outlook and
                                                                                                                                              Open bank account
                                                                                                                                              There are various bank branches
                                                                                            BlackBoard                                        in the city centre (Barclays, Lloyd,
                                                                                                                                              HSBC, Santander) where you can
Step 1: Enrol online                            Step 2: On campus enrolment                                                                   open a student bank account. All
                                                                                                                                              you need is a letter from The Hub
You will need to complete online                If necessary, an appointment will be
                                                                                                                                              (Login to map>Student Support
enrolment before arriving at the                arranged for you to come onto campus
                                                                                                                                              Services>Request a Confirmation of
University. You will be contacted by            so documents can be checked in
                                                                                                                                              Student Service Letter) acknowledging
email with a university username and            person in a safe environment.               You can download these apps from your             you as a student and your BRP
password, and instructions about                                                            app store and log in with the university          (collected earlier) to open a bank
how to do this. A member of staff               If you are studying at a distance, we       credentials provided to you. Check                account. Don’t forget to link your new
will complete your enrolment and will           will contact you to confirm when your       your timetable, e-mails, attendance,              local mobile number with your bank
contact you if there is a need to see           enrolment is complete.                      library account, book appointments,               account.
your documents.                                                                             latest events from clubs & societies,
                                                If you have decided not to join us on       notifications from campus and a lot more.         Register with a GP
If there is no need to see you in person,       campus in September, then please
                                                                                                                                              The nearest NHS clinic is in the city
your enrolment will be complete.                indicate when you will be arriving in
                                                                                                                                              centre itself. It is essential to get
                                                your Pre-Enrolment task in MAP.
                                                                                           What should I do after I arrive in                 yourself registered. You will need to fill
                                                                                           Birmingham?                                        out some forms available in the Health
                                                What is needed for enrolment?
                                                                                                                                              Centre and a letter of confirmation will
                                                - Passport                                 Collect BRP (Biometric Residence                   be sent to you from NHS by post.
                                                - Visa documents                           Permit)
                                                - Original qualification documents         Depending on whether you have selected             Get your NIN (National Insurance
                                                                                           the university or your accommodation as            Number)
                                                Further information for enrolment can be   your collection centre, the first thing that       You will need this if you want to work in
                                                found here: https://www2.aston.ac.uk/      you need to do is collect your BRP. Always         the UK. Since it takes time to process
                                                welcome-week/enrolment                     keep it safe as this is your evidence of           your National Insurance Number
                                                                                           immigration permission in the UK.                  application, it is recommended to book
                                                                                                                                              an appointment as early as possible. If
                                                  Click here for the latest arrival and    Get a local SIM card                               you are planning to work part-time,
                                                  welcome week information                 SIM operators such as Lebara and                   your employer might ask for your NIN.
                                                                                           GiffGaff offer local calling, SMS,                 Find information here: https://www.gov.
                                                  Further information on enrolment
                                                                                           international calling, and mobile data             uk/apply-national-insurance-number
                                                  can be found at: www2.aston.
                                                                                           bundles packages at a low price. You can
                                                  ac.uk/welcome-week/enrolment
                                                                                           top them up from any convenience store
                                                                                           or online.

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PRE-ARRIVAL GUIDE - #ASTONFRESHERS #ASTONWELCOMEWEEK - ASTON ...
ASTON
 LIFE AT
Our campus is located in the centre of           As well as numerous bars and             Key locations on campus                        Student Support Services, Main
Birmingham, the UK’s second largest              restaurants, Chinatown also features                                                    Building
city, ranked the second best English             several grocery stores, so you can buy
city for quality of living outside of            authentic Asian products.                                                               The Hub is a central location which
London (Mercer 2019 Quality of Living                                                     Aston Business School                          brings together all of Aston University’s
Rankings).                                       Birmingham’s diverse population                                                         key student support services. We offer
                                                                                          Aston Business School is part of an
                                                 means you will easily find halal food.                                                  a friendly and welcoming environment
                                                                                          elite group of global business schools
Birmingham has a wide range of                   Many major supermarkets across the                                                      where students can get the help and
                                                                                          which holds the gold standard of
cultural, social and sporting attractions.       city stock halal produce and many                                                       advice they need. The Hub Reception
                                                                                          ‘triple-crown’ accreditation, and is
We are home to Bullring, one of the              restaurants and takeaways will also                                                     Team will either be able to answer
                                                                                          ranked in the world’s top 100 business
largest shopping malls in Europe,                easily cater for you.                                                                   your query, or refer you to specialist
                                                                                          schools (QS World Subject Rankings,
as well as numerous museums, art                                                                                                         staff who will be able to help. If you’re
                                                                                          2020). You’ll find group study spaces
galleries and sporting venues, including         Food costs                                                                              studying online, it’s easy to access
                                                                                          and lecture theatres in this building.
football, cricket, athletics and tennis.                                                                                                 support from The Hub: https://www2.
                                                 The main supermarkets (grocery stores)                                                  aston.ac.uk/current-students/hub
                                                 in the UK include Asda, Sainsbury’s,     Library
Nearby Coventry also plays host to
rugby and netball teams. We have the             Tesco, Morrisons, Lidl and Aldi. Most    You’ll find common study spaces on             At the Hub you can access Student
oldest working cinema in the UK, over            offer online shopping which can be       the ground floor, quiet spaces on the          and International Advice Teams to get
50 festivals each year and a whole               delivered to your accommodation.         first and second floor, and of course –        help on immigration and legal issues,
range of bars and restaurants with                                                        an extensive collection of books and           student and work visas, student
cuisines from all over the world.                                                         journals. You can also rent laptops, get       finance, managing your money, social
                                                                                          print outs, and get expert support from        security benefits and student hardship
We are also renowned for our street                                                       our Information Specialists. Our library       funds.
food scene, with Digbeth Dining Club                                                      services are also available online:
every Friday and Saturday evening, the                                                    https://www2.aston.ac.uk/library               You can also access our Counselling
Balti Triangle and Chinatown.                                                                                                            and Wellbeing Services and our
                                                                                          Aston Library SmartSearch is an online         Disability and Enabling Teams, who
                                                                                          tool where you could find resources            provide friendly, approachable and
                                                                                          such as books, databases and journals          understanding mental health and
                                                                                          online. It is also powered by ‘Ask the         disability support.
                                                                                          Library’ live chat function where you
                                                                                          can chat with a staff member should            Students’ Union Building:
                                                                                          you have any difficulties.
                                                                                                                                         This is a cool new building with a
                                                                                                                                         cosy ambience for you to relax with
                                                                                                                                         your friends, grab a coffee, get Aston
                                                                                                                                         goodies, or study if the quiet of library
                                                                                                                                         appeal to you!

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PRE-ARRIVAL GUIDE - #ASTONFRESHERS #ASTONWELCOMEWEEK - ASTON ...
T
Sir Doug Ellis Woodcock Sports

                                                                                                 N
                                                 and temples, all of which offer regular

                                                                                               DE
Centre                                           religious worship. Our chaplains will be

                                                                                            STU ORT
                                                 able to help you find your nearest place
Our on campus Sir Doug Ellis                     of worship.
Woodcock Sport Centre offers a range

                                                                                            SUPP
of different sport and leisure activities        Our top recommendations for
including:
                                                 places to visit in Birmingham:
-   Gym                                          -	Bullring Shopping Centre and Grand
-   Swimming pool                                   Central
-   Sauna and steam rooms                        -	Jewellery Quarter                       Learning
-   Fitness and yoga classes                     -	Birmingham Town Hall & Victoria
-   Badminton courts                                Square                                  Development Centre
-   Squash courts                                -	Birmingham Museum Art and Gallery
-   Sport halls                                  -	Digbeth                                 The centre brings together services              Union. You can also volunteer to be
-   Football pitches                             -	Broad Street Canals                     including advice on writing for                  a Student Rep from the start of the
                                                 -	Custard Factory                         assignments and research, a maths                academic year. Find more information
Student gym memberships are                      -	Gosta Green                             support centre, programming support              here: https://www.astonsu.com/voice/
available as well as various pay and             -	Chinese Quarter                         and general study skills guidance,               representation/
play activity options. Sport Aston also          -	St Philip’s Cathedral, Birmingham       covering exam and revision techniques,
offer a range of health and wellbeing               Cathedral                               presentations, working in groups and             English language tuition
services and is the venue for the                -	Aston Villa Football Club               much more.
                                                                                                                                             As an international student at Aston
University Sports Clubs training and             -	Birmingham Royal Ballet
                                                                                                                                             you will be entitled to free English
matches.                                                                                    Get Ahead Programme
                                                                                                                                             language tuition in individual or small
                                                                                            As a new Aston student you’ll                    group tutorials. In these sessions you
Find out about our new safety
                                                                                            be able to take part in our Get                  will:
measures: https://www2.aston.ac.uk/
                                                                                            Ahead programme. Our engaging
sport/news
                                                                                            learning platform has tools and                  -	improve your accuracy and fluency
                                                                                            information to help introduce you to life           when using spoken and written
Martin Luther King Multi Faith                                                              at Aston and start your study journey               English
Centre                                                                                      with us. Find out more: https://www2.            -	get support with specialised
The Chaplaincy offers pastoral and                                                          aston.ac.uk/welcome-week                            vocabulary used within your field of
spiritual guidance, prayer, support and                                                                                                         academic study
friendship to those of all faiths or of                                                     Peer mentoring                                   -	get support with written assignments,
none. The team consists of members                                                                                                              including dissertations/project
                                                                                            We offer mentoring from our current                 reports
of different faiths and backgrounds,                                                        students, from pre-arrival right through
including Christian, Buddhist, Pagan,                                                                                                        -	get support with other academic
                                                                                            your degree programme. Find further                 skills such as listening to lectures or
Hindu, Muslim, Jewish and Sikh chaplains.                                                   information here:                                   taking part in seminars
                                                                                            https://www.astonsu.com/
Whether you belong to a faith                                                               activities/volunteering/
community or not, you are welcome to                                                        internationalbuddyscheme/
talk confidentially with a chaplain about                                                                                                    Advice and Representation
any problems or concerns you may have.
                                                                                            Student Representatives                          Centre (ARC)
                                                                                                                                             The Students’ Union’s representation
You will also find a wealth of religious                                                    The Student Reps are empowered                   centre offers free, confidential advice
provisions throughout the Birmingham                                                        to represent your academic interests             and representation, independent of the
region including churches, mosques                                                          to the University and the Students’              university.

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PRE-ARRIVAL GUIDE - #ASTONFRESHERS #ASTONWELCOMEWEEK - ASTON ...
H  CA RE
 HEA LT       NT
      S TU DE
    D
 AN BEING
 WELL
COVID Secure                                     A hospital’s accident and emergency       SafeZone
                                                 (A & E) department is for emergencies
1. We have carried out a COVID-19 risk           only. If you are not sure if you need     SafeZone is a safety and security app
assessment to ensure our buildings are           to go to hospital you can ring the        designed to optimise safety around
ready for your arrival.                          National Health Service (NHS) free non-   campus for both students and staff.
                                                 emergency number on 111 first or visit
2. We have cleaning, handwashing and             a local pharmacy for advice.              Aston University has launched this free
hygiene procedures in line with guidance                                                   app for both students and staff to
                                                                                           enhance personal safety, security
                                                 Campus Safety
3. Where people cannot be two metres                                                       and wellbeing around campus. The
apart, we have done everything                   Our fully-trained and friendly security   Safezone app ensures you are able
practical to manage transmission risk.           staff help ensure our campus is safe      to easily connect with members of
Information is regularly updated on:             and secure for you 24 hours a day, 365    the Campus Safety Team if you need
https://www2.aston.ac.uk/current-                days a year. In an emergency, Campus      assistance or medical support for
students/health-wellbeing/coronavirus            Safety can be contacted on                yourself or others whilst on campus.
                                                 0121 204 4803 or 0121 359 2922.
Medical emergencies                                                                        Students with disabilities and
                                                 For all other queries, our Campus         specific learning difficulties
On campus: If you need an ambulance              Safety can be contacted on
or other emergency service, please               +44 (0)121 204 4803 or 4803 (on an        We welcome students with disabilities
call Security on 2222 – do not call the          internal phone) or at                     or long-term medical conditions.
ambulance service direct, as Security            security@aston.ac.uk.
need to allow access to these services                                                     All teaching is carried out on our
and need to know the exact location of           You can also visit them in the Main       single campus, where Aston Student
the emergency. This will help to improve         Building, to the right of the main        Village is located. We have access to
response times of the emergency services.        university reception.                     a number of specially adapted rooms
                                                                                           on campus and accommodation may
Off campus: If you need immediate                                                          be guaranteed for the duration of your         To help you plan and prepare for
medical assistance (for example because                                                    course if your individual circumstances        university life, the Enabling Team can
of an accident), telephone 999. This is                                                    warrant this. Rooms are available with         provide advice and support on a
a free phone number. Your call will be                                                     ground floor/lift access, larger floor         confidential basis.
put through to an operator who will ask                                                    space, ensuite bathrooms, vibrating
which emergency service you require                                                        alert/doorbell systems, shower seats,          www2.aston.ac.uk/current-students/
(ambulance, coastguard, fire or police).                                                   grab rails etc.                                hub/ the-enabling-team

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PRE-ARRIVAL GUIDE - #ASTONFRESHERS #ASTONWELCOMEWEEK - ASTON ...
TIONAL                                                                                    ST  ON
    DI
 AD MATION                                                                                    A        NTS’
                                                                                               T U  DE
 INFOR                                                                                        S
                                                                                                N IO N
TV licence                                         Proof of age                               U
If you plan on watching television while
you are in the UK, you will need to
                                                   You may find when buying age-
                                                   restricted products such as alcohol or     Welcome Week is for
purchase a TV licence. This will allow             tobacco, going to a bar, club or to the    all new students, so make sure you
you to watch or record live TV, download           cinema, that you are asked to provide      attend some of the online social
or watch programmes on BBC iPlayer.                proof of your age. Your passport, EU       activities during this week. This is your
Even if you do not watch programmes on             national identity (ID) card or your        opportunity to make new friends and
a television but use another device (e.g.          Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) can       also to join clubs and societies
a laptop or tablet), you will still need to        all be used as proof of this.
purchase a TV licence. This also applies                                                      Find the full list here: https://www.
                                                                                              astonsu.com/union/student-activities/
to any online TV service you use, such             Safety
as Now TV, Apple TV, YouTube and                                                              clubs-and-societies/
Amazon Instant Video.                              The UK and Birmingham are generally
                                                   safe places to live. There are however,
A standard one-year colour TV licence              a few precautions you should take as
currently costs £150.50 to £154.50                 you would in most major cities. Do not
and can be purchased from www.                     display any valuables, keep purses
tvlicensing.co.uk                                  and wallets securely hidden from view
                                                   and avoid walking down dimly or unlit
                                                   streets at night. If you can, walk in a
Mobile phone
                                                   group at night time.
There is a whole range of mobile
phone providers in the UK offering                 If you do need the police or other
both pay-as-you-go and pay monthly                 emergency services, call 999 from any
packages, with or without a handset.               phone (including mobiles). The 999
Some will also offer special deals to              number is for emergencies only. If you
students. The Which? consumer guide                need to speak to the police in a non-
can help you to decide which package               emergency situation, you can dial 101
will be best for you: www.which.co.uk/             and you will be asked which police force
reviews/mobile-phones. Once you have               you would like to be connected to (for
decided on a package, comparison                   Birmingham, ask for the West Midlands
websites such as MoneySuperMarket                  Police).
(moneysupermarket.com/mobile-
phones) and Carphone Warehouse
(carphonewarehouse.com) can help you
to find the best deal for you or you can
look directly on the network providers’
websites.

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PRE-ARRIVAL GUIDE - #ASTONFRESHERS #ASTONWELCOMEWEEK - ASTON ...
“Welcome to all international
     students joining Aston University
     this September! Aston’s campus is
     a global village at the heart of one
     of the youngest and most diverse
     cities in Europe. Our diversity is
     our greatest strength!”
     Harry Sheppard
     President of Aston Students’ Union

16                                 17
YO U
                   SEE !
@astonuniversity

                   SOON
/astonuniversity
@astonuniversity
/astonuniversity
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