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FAQs
Practicalities
- Will Flying Start benefit me in any way?
- Is it really free?
- What do I need to bring?
- Do I need to bring a photograph?
- I've lost my stuff!!!
- Is there a crèche/ childcare facilities?
- Do I need any special equipment?
- What will I be doing at the event?
- Am I missing out by attending a non-residential event?
- How many people will there be?
- Can I bring my car?
- I have/prefer to travel to Preston on the Monday before the start of the event. What should I do?
- I want to talk to people who have been through Flying Start. Can this be arranged?
Accommodation
- Do I need to bring towels and bedding?
- Where will I be staying?
- Will I have my own room?
- Can I be in the same flat as my friend?
- Is the accommodation mixed?
- I live locally - do I have to stay if I attend a residential?
- I want to attend a residential event but I do not want to stay in Halls - is this OK?
Mature Students
- I am a mature student -is it really for me?
- Is there a creche/ childcare facilities?
- Will it be useful to me as a mature student?
Cancelling/Re-Arranging Dates
Practicalities
1. Will Flying Start benefit me in any way?
Yes it will! You will have the advantage of beginning your UCLan university life in September having already made friends on Flying Start. You will know your way around the University campus and have an idea of where to go for your lectures. You will also already be able to find your way around the City centre and know where to go to buy your food and where your bank is, etc.
More importantly though, Flying Start will give you an idea of what the University expects from you in terms of your academic studies. Our research shows that Flying Start students are far more likely to complete their degree than other UCLan students.
You get to have fun, make friends, and improve your chances of being a successful student - what more do you want!
Yes it is - the only money you need to bring is for food and drinks and any spending money for the evening social activities if you are attending one of the residential events. Your accommodation will be paid for you by the University. If you are attending the non-residential event in September, then you will receive lunch and refreshments during the day - unfortunately accommodation will not be provided on the September events.
You will need to bring yourself, your clothes and toiletries, money for food and drinks, and a pen and some paper!
If you have received your library or 'corporate' card before the event you attend, then please bring this with you as well – some students are sent their library card in the post over the summer period. It will have your photograph on the front of the card and a barcode with your email and registration number on the back. If you have not received your card by the time you attend Flying Start, don't worry, we can make alternative arrangments when you arrive. 
4. Do I need to bring a photograph?
You may want to bring a passport sized photograph just in case some of our paperwork hasn't gone through, but this is not essential.
Call us as soon as possible and we can send out the information about Flying Start to you again.
6. Is there a crèche/ childcare facilities?
Flying Start does not offer childcare facilities as part of our service. The University does have its own pre-school centre. You can contact them on 01772 892597.
7. Do I need any special equipment?
Some of you will have received your library card before the event you attend. It will have your photograph on the front of the card and a barcode with your email and registration number on the back. You should bring this card with you. If you have not received your card by the time you attend, don't worry, we can make other arangements when you arrive.
It might also be useful to bring a pen and some paper!
8. What will I be doing during the Flying Start events?
We will endeavour to make sure that you are fully prepared for your first year of study at UCLan.
Each event includes a series of lectures and seminars designed to provide you with information about the University and its support structures and systems, including how to use the library and its computer network. If you attend one of our residential events, we will also ensure you are familiar with both the campus and the city.
We will also be aiding you in developing and improving your study skills, making sure you know what is expected of you as a UCLan student and, if you attend a residential event, testing your time and budget management skills!
Please note that attendance at the lectures and seminars we offer are compulsory!
We will also offer you a number of social events and activities each evening if you attend a residential event - you are free to choose which you attend, or even whether you attend one at all!
9. Am I missing out by attending a non-residential event?
Non-residential events are especially aimed at those who might find it difficult to attend a residential event, for whatever reason – and at local students, or those who will be commuting in to university. We aim to cover all the key information you need when you start University at ALL our events!
10. How many people will there be? 
Each residential events has a maximum number of 200 places, with non-residential events holding up to 70 students - which means that there should be plenty of people for you to meet and socialise with!
We advise against it! Parking can be tricky at this University but as Flying Start takes place during the summer we do have limited availability for parking during the events. If you really have to bring your car you will need a parking permit. We can help you with this if you let us know when you arrive on the first morning of the event.
If you attend a residential event, drive your car to the University on the first day of the event and then park on a University Car Park - please ensure that you leave a note in the window of your car explaining why your car is parked there and that you will get yourself a car parking pass as soon as possible.
Please be aware that not all parking around the campus is University Car Parking - University Car Parks all have the UCLan logo on display.
12. I have/prefer to travel to Preston on the day before the start of a residential event. What should I do?
Let us know if you plan to arrive in Preston on the day before. Some of our mentors will also be staying in Halls on the evening before and can help you out and keep you company on your first night. We try to ensure that any students who do have to travel to Preston early are accommodated together, so you should find that you’re not the only one in this position!
Unfortunately, you will need to pay for this additional night's accommodation and you will need to arrange this at least 3 days in ADVANCE through the University's Accommodation Service on 01772 892522. It will cost approximately £16.50 for the night, depending upon 
the hall of residence you are placed in. You will not be able to sort out a car parking permit until the next morning, but please ensure that you leave a note in the window of your car explaining why your car is parked there and that you will get yourself a car parking pass as soon a possible.
13. I want to talk to people who have been through flying start. Can this be arranged?
There are a number of unofficial facebook groups, including: “I went on Flying Start and now I am amazing” which can be found at www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2229428101 We may also be able to put you in touch with ther UCLan Flying Start students if you email us at Flyingstart@uclan.ac.uk
Accommodation
14. Do I need to bring towels and bedding?
No, not for these events, although you will need to bring towels and bedding with you if you come to live in University accommodation during term-time.
We will provide you with a room in one of our Halls of Residence. This will usually be in Whitendale, Ribble, Eden, or Roeburn halls, depending upon the arrangements we have made for the event you attend.
You will have your own room but may have to share washing and toilet facilities depending upon the event you attend and the hall of residence we have booked. You can expect to be living alongside up to six other students in a flat.
17. Can I be in the same flat as my friend?
We cannot guarantee this but if you let us know who you want to share a flat with as soon as possible, then we will try and accommodate your request. Please consider that living in a flat with students you do not know, may help you in getting to know a whole new group of people, making you and your friend less reliant upon one another during the first few weeks of University.
18. Is the accommodation mixed? 
Accommodation is often comprised of male and female students in any one flat. However, if you wish to stay in a single-sex flat we will ensure that your accommodation is arranged in this way. Please let us know as soon as possible if this is the case by calling us on 01771 893850.
19. I live locally - do I have to stay if I attend a residential?
If you live locally, and prefer to go back to your own home at the end of each day, that’s fine. If this is the case, please let us know that you will not be requiring accommodation by calling us on 01772 893850. However, please consider that by living in Halls of Residence during the event, you will be able to relax and get to know many more students.
20. I want to attend a residential event but I do not want to stay in Halls - is this OK?
Although we offer accommodation for the duration of the events, this is optional. If you prefer to commute, or to stay elsewhere, you are welcome to. If this is the case, please let us know that you will not be requiring accommodation by calling us on 01772 893850. Many people find that by living in Halls of Residence during the event, they are able to relax and get to know many more students than would otherwise be the case.
Mature Students
21. I am a mature student -is it really for me?
Yes it is! When you enrol on your course in September you will have to get used to working alongside students of all ages. You won't be alone as a mature Flying Start student - we have students of all ages at our events. Our oldest student on a residential event was 76! We also ensure that our mentors represent our diverse student body, being of all ages and backgrounds, in order that all our Flying Start students have someone they feel they can relate to.
22. Is there a creche/ childcare facilities?
Flying Start does not offer childcare facilities as part of our service but the University does have its' own pre-school centre. You can contact them on 01772 892597.
23. Will it be useful to me as a mature student?
Flying Start is designed to cater for all students, regardless of age!
Flying Start helps to increase the confidence of students who are worried they might struggle with particular aspects of university life. We make sure that you meet lots of new people and make new friends before you enrol at UCLan to make the prospect of enrolling at university less daunting. We will also support you in developing your academic study skills. We will show you how to use the University's library network and provide information upon the various student support systems we have in place at UCLan that will help you throughout your degree.
Cancelling/Re-Arranging Dates
If you can no longer attend the event you originally booked, let us know as soon as you can on 01772 893112. Places on our events are limited but if you wish to attend on a different date to the one you originally booked for, we will try and accommodate this - but you must let us know as soon as possible!
25. I can no longer attend an event - what do I do?
If you need to cancel your place on any of our events, please let us know as soon as possible. Places are limited and someone else can take your place if you have to cancel. Please contact us on 01772 893112.
Last updated: 04:15 07/06/2011
Author: Victoria Cook
