Welfare Advice

Childcare provision

SOAS does not provide any childcare facilities of its own but the Welfare Office publishes a booklet which gives details of childcare facilities local to SOAS and also information on how to look for childcare near to where you live.

Money

When you receive your loan the first thing you may think is that you’ve become rich overnight!
Think again. University can be expensive, particularly in London. The good news is that with forward-thinking, it can be quite easy to manage your debt.

Debt
Expect it! But DON’T rely on credit cards.  They make money of your debt!  You will already be building a substantial debt to the Student Loans Company, particularly with the new top up fees. The interest on credit cards is a nightmare! If you don’t contro your debts early on, credit card bills will probably plague you for years to come.

Saving Money

Unlike most student unions, we still supply you with a free NUS card and negotiate with local shops, cafes restaurants and bars for SOAS student discounts….so it’s always worth asking.
You can also buy an NUS Extra card for £10 online, although we’re not sure it’s really worth it!!

Budget
1. Divide your loan and any additional income you receive into monthly budgets
2. Work out your essential buys each month (e.g. rent, food, bills and transport.)
3. Give yourself an allowance for unexpected costs such as expensive text books, replacing lost items etc. (which always crop up when you least expect!)
4. Subtract these from your monthly budget
5. Work out how much you have left!  If there isn’t any, look back over your budgets REALISTICALLY. 
If you cannot make any cuts, look for a job!  Most of us have to!

Money saving ideas:
• Bulk buy special ofers for things needed all year round
• Get fruit\ veg\ toiletries from the market
• Take a packed lunch to university or eat the Hare Krishna food available at lunchtime (for a small donation)
• For clothes check out charity shops & markets
• Go to the cinema before 5pm on weekdays
• Invest in a bicycle!  Far cheaper, greener and quicker, and cycle lanes are slowly improving!

Bank Accounts

Home students: Student bank accounts are great and they often have a lot of enticing offers!  Although the joining gifts are enticing, remember you will probably stick with the bank for a long time so check out interest rates, overdraft facilities (and graduate conditions!)  Although it’s a long way of, when you’re in 3 or 4 years worth of debt, it’s very helpful to have an interest free graduate overdraft to tide you  over!

International students: The accounts available for you are more restrictive and you won’t get the free gifts and overdrafts.  To open an account you will need your passport and a letter from SOAS which confirms your student status and your home and UK addresses. You can request such a letter on the day you enrol. Some banks may want more documents. The Welfare Oice produces a booklet on banking for Overseas Students which will be available during the Orientation Weekend.  We strongly advise you open an account as quickly as possible as some of the banks only accept letters from SOAS for a limited length of time, probably about 3 months.

Jobs
Most undergrads in London need an additional income.  Take advantage of studying in this exciting city and a part-time job to match!  The trick is to balance it with studying. Good time management means a decent 2:1 or a 1st is still possible.

Visit the Careers Office in G58 (Russell Sq), www.careers.lon.ac.uk/ocl

Social Security 
Home, EU students, part-time students, students with disabilities or children may be entitled to certain social security beneits so this is worth visiting your local JobCentre Plus.

Student Loans & Hardship Funds

If you’re a home undergraduate student, on the day you enrol SOAS will inform the Student Loan Company that you are now a student and your loan will be released. It should be in your bank 3 days later if you applied late or your loan is held up for some reason and you run out of money then the Welfare Advisers may be able to help you. International students and postgrads are expected to make their own arrangements to cover their expenses through loans, sponsorship, savings, parents...

Remember, the school always expects fees for the year to be paid in full on enrollment.The School welfare offiice has some extra money in the form of hardship funds to offer students in dire need.  You’d need to show that you really are under the breadline to obtain it. Most of this money is aimed at home students, though there can be small grants to overseas students. Nevertheless, if you are in diiculty the School welfare officers are very good people to talk to about ways to improve your financial situation.The Welfare Office is situated in Vernon Sq.
Contact: welfare@soas.ac.uk

Visit the 3rd floor on Vernon Square for  the school welfare officers, counsellors and disability officer.
If you need advice on welfare issues, or for someone to talk to when you feel low, they are there for you.
School Welfare Officer: Heather MacLoed
Help/ advice including immigration, accomodation, childcare, inance and personal problems, or dealing with outside agencies for beneits or Loans.
Call: 020 7074 5014

Student Counsellor: Alison Barty
Drop in for up to 8 appointments; also information about low cost longer-term counselling.
V302, 9-5pm;  020 7074 5016;
counsellors@soas.ac.uk; www.studentcounselling.org.uk

Disability Advisor: Zoe Davis
Call\email: zd@soas.ac.uk\ 020 7074 5018

or via Ambie Rene:
ar40@soas.ac.uk, 020 7074 5015

Safety

Living in a new city can be daunting, especially in a big place like London. If you are travelling at night plan your journey, and avoid travelling alone. Use taxis (only licensed ones) and buses where possible.  A reasonable and safe option is Addison Lee: 020 7387 8888 – they text with the vehicle’s registration number, drivers name and a set price so you can be sure you are in the right cab and avoid getting ripped off!
Keep money and keys on your person rather than in a bag, avoid using mobile phones in the street and consider using more inconspicuous headphones if you are an ipod listener!  If you feel you are in a threatening situation, get to the nearest public place and call a friend or the police.  If you are travelling alone, try to let someone you see regularly (e.g. flat mate) know where you are going!
Report any incidents to the police, halls, the SU or security.

Learning and Teaching Unit

Starting a degree can be a bit overwhelming. Students are expected to reach a certain academic level, particularly within their assignments. Also, if you’ve got an elusive personal tutor which is somewhat the norm at SOAS, then the Learning and Teaching Unit (LTU) can potentially bridge the gap in your learning.
At University you’re often expected to get through vast amounts of reading, which you may ind more difficult than you initially expected. It’s easy to spend free time chillinng out, especially when you are feeling overwhelmed, but you will soon see the work piling up!  The LTU are there to help with time management and procrastination, difficulties reading, etc. in the form of workshops, one-to-one tutorials and help-yourself resources. Even if you were a brainiac at school or college, methods of study are diferent at university and you may find yourself struggling!  The services ofered by the LTU can potentially help you achieve the level you desire with just a little bit of effort….