Students’ Union (BCUSU)

Victoria [00:00:03] Hi, everyone, I'm Victoria. Your union president, and I'm here today with Liam King, who is the manager of the BCUSU Advice Centre. Hi, Liam. Thank you for giving us your time. So my first question to you is, what do the advice centre advise on?

Liam [00:00:24] Well, we advise on the three main areas. The one that we get the most questions about. So it's about two thirds is to do with course related issues.

Liam [00:00:34] So that can be having an extension, that can be things like appeals. If you're happy with an aspect of your assessment or it could be not so nice stuff like discipline or raise complaints and that sort of thing, that's the main area. The second one second biggest area we advise on is housing.

Liam [00:00:56] So that's everything from where to look for accommodation, getting your contract checked, if you've got issues, maybe with your landlord and then at the end moving out, making sure you get your deposit back. And then the third area is around money, particularly student finance, making sure you've got the funding, you're entitled to more if you need extra, extra, extra money.

Liam [00:01:20] Anything else we can advise on. But those are the three main areas. Plus, we do other bits and pieces around things like employment and things like consumer law as well.

Victoria [00:01:33] Awesome. Okay. And so how do students access the advice centre?

Liam [00:01:40] OK, so initially, the best way of accessing those is through we've got on our Web site.

Liam [00:01:48] There's a link to a very short form where you just put a couple of brief details in about yourself and then you just tell us wha t the issue is. Give us some times when you're available. And then we arranged for an adviser to give you. It's normally a telephone call to start with, but if you'd prefer it via email or if you want it face to face or via sort of a video chat like this, we can do any of those.

Liam [00:02:14] And then once we've dealt with the initial enquiry, if you still need advice after that, again, it's whatever it's going to be most convenient for you. We can advise you that way, Bu t if you if you don't go through the website, you can always go through when you arrive at university, your school office, or we're asking one of the student union reception points as well.

Victoria [00:02:35] Awesome. And third question, why is it that BCUSU have an advice centre.

Liam [00:02:42] That's a very good question and the university also has its own supports and support services, but we deal with a certain specific issues and topics because we're independent from the university. So we just go back to the things we've been talking about. So, for instance, if a student wishes to appeal and complain or maybe they're being disciplined, then it makes sense for them to be able to go somewhere where they know that they're getting independent advice. the advice is in their best interests. It's so therefore would not the university service. Obviously, we're independent and employed by the student's union. Same goes for things like housing. So if you were in maybe a contract with the university and you've got an issue there, again, you come to doesn't get independent advice. That's the main reason.

Victoria [00:03:34] And last question. But by no means least, what would you say are the top tips for potential incoming students?

Liam [00:03:43] As new students, I would say the main thing and this can be may be quite a boring thing to have to do before you start, but it's really, really important. And that surrounds or budgeting money management in particular. I'd recommend if you've got any concerns about money before you come, then do a budget. There are budget planners again from our website. You can get links to really good budget plans. But yeah, make sure, where ever possible, you've got enough money to meet your rent and other things. And number two, I would say with housing contracts. So whether that's with university halls, private homes, or if you're going into the private sector, make sure you understand your tenancy agreement. Your contract is a legally binding contract. And so mostly it's not very easy to get out of. So, make sure you read, understand it and know that basically that's where you're going to be living for pretty much the whole year. No. Well, third wanted to say is just the usual stuff about, you know, setting in, making friends. I would recommend joint things like clubs and societies through the student union volunteering. There's lots of things you can get involved in, really help you sort of settle down and hopefully enjoy your year.

Victoria [00:05:04] Brilliant. Thank you so much, Liam. So, again, it was Liam. The manager of the BCUSU Advice Centre. You can find out more by going to BCUSU.COM/ADVICE. Thank you so much for seeing this video. Bye bye.