Welcome to

BSC Manchester

Before arriving in Manchester, make sure to arrange a transfer from the airport to the school or your accommodation. BSC offers a worry-free transfer option when booking, allowing you to get a direct transfer from the airport, directly to BSC Manchester. Contact us for more information on this service.

Arrivals at Manchester Airport: To get to the city centre from Manchester Airport, there are regular and direct metro and rail links to Manchester Piccadilly Rail Station. Visit the Manchester Airport website for more arrival information, or visit some transport providers below:

Airport Transfers - Looking4Transfers - Book direct transfers to and from the airport. This service is in partnership with Manchester Airport.

Coach Transfers - National Express - Direct coach services to and from Manchester Airport and many key destinations throughout the UK. Coach transfer prices vary by date and time, but you can travel for as little as £4.70 one-way.

Bus Transfers - Stagecoach - 24hr direct bus services to Manchester City Centre. On average, a single ticket from the Aiport to City Centre will cost you £3.50. It may be cheaper to opt for a daily or weekly bus pass if you plan on using the bus network frequently during your visit.

All of our centres have adopted the BSC Be Safe Charter which complies with UK government rules and guidance in order to protect the safety and well-being of our global family including our students and team.

• Smaller class sizes
• Frequent cleaning
• Hand sanitiser stations
• One-way systems
• Personal Protective Equipment

Student Experience Manager: Giulia Mella
Address: 7 Chatham Street, Manchester, M1 3AY, United Kingdom
Telephone: +44 (0)777 666 1680
Emergency Telephone: +44 (0)7930 135 948
The emergency telephone number can be contacted from 17.00 to 8.30 Monday to Friday and 24hr on a weekend

College Opening Times

Monday to Friday: 08.30 to 17.00
Saturday to Sunday: Closed

Manchester is a very welcoming and friendly city and it is very easy to make your way around the city centre. There are lots of attractions to visit in and around Manchester. Manchester is famous for its football, music scene, international events and street food from all over the world.

Must-see attractions:

• Manchester Cathedral
• National Football Museum
• Manchester Art Gallery
• Museum of Science and Industry
• Old Trafford Stadium
• Etihad Stadium
• The Withworth Art Gallery
• Intu Trafford Centre
• MediaCity UK and Salford Quays
• Castlefield and Manchester canals
• Heaton Park
• Peak Ditrict
• Lake District
• North Wales and Snowdonia National Park

The Manchester Visitor Information Centre is located within Manchester Central Library, just a 5 minutes’ walk from the college. They can help you with local maps, directions, attraction tickets and bus tickets.

Manchester Visitor Information Centre
Manchester Central Library
St Peters Square
Manchester
Greater Manchester
M2 5PD

If you need any further assistance or more information about Manchester, you can talk to the Student Experience team who are happy to help!

You will get the opportunity to meet our team at BSC Manchester and we encourage you to ask anyone if you have any questions. Take a look at the 'Who can help?' section below for any specific enquiries.

Student Experience

Giulia Mella - Student Services Manager
Nadia Falou - Exams Manager

Teaching Faculty

Rachel Kilner
Ruby Mumtaz
Pam Womack
Gaby Sanderson
Poddy Peerman

Please come to Reception for all the following questions and queries: 

Lessons/Classes    

• If you have any general questions about your classes or level  
• If you need further advice  

Accommodation or Welfare 

• If you would like to discuss your homestay accommodation or student residence 
• If you are in your own accommodation and need advice 
• Or you are feeling unwell or homesick and need support 

General   

• Paying for your course 
• Questions about your passport/visa 
• Changing your course 
• Opening a local bank account 
• Requesting a holiday 
• Any other queries or questions 

Social Programme 

• If you would like to join a social activity or have questions about the social programme  

Banks and Currency 

• The currency in the UK is sterling (Great British Pound). You cannot use Euros or any other foreign currency during your stay. 
• If you are in Manchester for 6 months or more, you could be eligible to open a bank account.  
• Before you go the bank, you will need to ask for a bank letter at reception. This letter states your course dates and current address in Manchester.  
• You will also need to take your passport as you will not be able to open a bank account without this information. 
• If you need to change your money, there are several change bureaus close to the college

On your first day, you will be welcomed by the Student Experience Team before having a full induction. Here's a guide to your first day at BSC Manchester:

Arrive at college (08.30)

The college address is 7 Chatham Street, M1 3AY.

College Induction (09.00)

This is an opportunity to find out more about BSC Manchester, the safety procedures and who to contact for help.

Join your class (From 10.00)

It's time for your first lesson! Head to your classroom to meet your teachers and get started on your chosen course.

Welcome City Tour (15.30)

To welcome you to Manchester, all of our new students take up the opportunity to have a tour of the city with our Student Experience Team. Meet at the college's reception/welcome hub by 15.30 to join in.

• See the main sights of the city
• Get recommendations on restaurants and shopping
• Take some great photos and meet new friends

Every Tuesday morning at 10.40, we invite all students to join the BSC team for Tea and Biscuits in the Common Room.

• Meet other students at your BSC college
• Talk to your Student Experience Team
• Sign up for activities on the Social Programme

Your Student Experience Team will be available to help with anything you may need. Make sure you join up to lots of Social Programme activities to get the most out of your time here.

Social Programme

You will find a wide range of activities available with something for everyone. We encourage you to join in with as many as possible – they are great fun and a great way to practice your English. Example social activities include Museum visits, Cinema club, Day trips to various UK cities and Conversation club in popular restaurants or cafés.

Communication Workshops

You will also be able to join existing students in our range of Free Communication Workshops to help you with your career, pronunciation and communication skills.

College safety starts with you, remember to wear your ID badge at all times!

• Everyone is given an ID card and a lanyard on arrival
• Wear the lanyard/ID around your neck so it is visible at all times
• Do not let anyone into any buildings who does not have a school ID   

Please report any incidents or concerns regarding anyone you don’t know to a member of BSC team immediately.

When you hear the fire alarm, follow the steps below:

1. Listen to the teacher/team member and follow their instructions.
2. Do not stop to take your belongings (bags, coats, phones etc.) as this will slow things down. Safety first!
3. Take the most direct route out of the building and follow the fire exit signs.
4. Quickly and calmly use the fire stairwell located at the end of the building.
5. Please see the building map on the back of each classroom door or ask a member of team if you are unsure.
6. Go to the Fire Evacuation Point. Stay with your teacher. Tell your teacher if you know of any students that are not outside.
7. Do not return to the building unless you have been notified by a member of BSC team that it's safe to do so.
8. Follow the green signs to exit the building in an emergency.

If you see a fire, please take the following steps:

1. Immediately sound the fire alarm and tell the first member of BSC team you see.
2. If you do not see a member of BSC team available, telephone 999 and tell the operator: "Fire. There is a fire at British Study Centres Manchester, 7 Chatham Street, M1 3AY"
3. Leave the college and go to the Fire Evacuation Point.

Do not take any risks

Do not try to extinguish the fire yourself

Abusive Behaviour 

At our college, we have many different nationalities and cultures. We respect all people from all cultures and we strongly believe that the school should be a happy and tolerant place to learn. Please respect each other and be tolerant of the differences in cultural attitudes and ways of life. 

Any abusive behaviour including harassment, bullying, actual or threatened violence, damage to personal property, verbal and other abuse based on racial, sexual or religious differences is not acceptable. If you feel you are the target of any form of harassment or bullying, please raise the matter with a member of BSC team. 

Any student found guilty of abusive behaviour will be given an official warning and if the behaviour continues, they will be asked to leave the college with no refund of fees.  

Personal Safety   

Be streetwise 

• Please take care of your valuables 
• Keep your, bag, money, passport, jacket with you at break and lunch times 
• Don’t leave your bag unattended at any time, in college, in public places, on a bus, in a restaurant… 
• Don’t carry all your money or passport if not needed 
• Try to avoid walking late at night by yourself 
• Use a licenced taxi or a bus 

Complaints 

If You have any complaints, You should immediately notify a member of the BSC team.

If your complaint cannot be resolved immediately, you may be asked to put it in writing and give the complaint to the Director of Studies.

In the unlikely event, this is not resolved to Your satisfaction; You can either email the Managing Director (Jenn Harris) at: [email protected] or write in English to the Company’s head office: BSC Education Limited, Lees House 21–33 Dyke Road, Brighton, England, BN1 3FE, United Kingdom

The Company will investigate Your complaint and will provide an appropriate response. In order to be given a reasonable chance of addressing Your complaint, please speak to us as soon as the problem arises as we cannot deal with issues retrospectively. If the complaint is not resolved to Your satisfaction, You may contact English UK (the national association of accredited language centres).

BSC Group (the ‘Company’, ‘We’), including its subsidiary British Study Centres Education aim:   

• To ensure that all students aged under 18 are protected from potential abuse from hosts, staff and other suppliers and fellow students 
• To inform British Study Centres staff of their responsibilities when working with children and vulnerable adults in order that staff can implement this policy using the guidelines provided. This will protect the safety and well-being of children attending courses and staff employed to work on courses at British Study Centres language schools and residential centres 
• To offer a variety of social activities of interest to the needs of younger students 
• To practice our commitment to safe recruitment, selection and vetting of staff, accommodation providers and other suppliers 
• To ensure that all members of staff are aware if any student is under 18 and that staff are also aware of any consequent special procedure(s) which are applicable 

BSC Manchester Safeguarding Officers who are happy to help you: 

Giulia Mella - Deputy Safeguarding Lead

Before arriving, you must:  

All students under the age of 18 must provide a complete consent form from their parent/guardian before they start their course.   

When you are here:  

• All students under the of 18’s are asked to sign in each day at reception for both morning and afternoon classes  
• Student staying with a homestay provider will have a curfew of 22.00 every night  
• If you are staying in homestay accommodation, you must get parental permission to go away overnight or at weekends.

If you need help and support

Come to reception and speak to the Student Experience Team, they can meet with you and discuss things in private and confidentially. If you feel you require help from a professional, the members of staff will have contacts in Manchester who can help. Regardless of what the problem is, we want you to consider us as your Manchester ‘family’. We can help you deal with any problems you have, whether it is related to the college or not.

If you do not feel comfortable speaking to someone from the college about a personal problem, you can contact the Manchester Samaritans. They offer free confidential advice for people who are going through a difficult time in their life.

Manchester and Salford Samaritans
72-74 Oxford St
Manchester
M1 5NH
National tel: 116 123 (this number is free to call)

Staying safe 

Manchester is a big and busy city, but it is typically safe. However, like all places across the world, crime can still happen.

When you are out in public, you should take care of your valuables; ensure that your phones, tablets, laptops and cameras are put away safely in your bag. Do not leave your belongings unattended, especially in cafes and pubs.

Try to avoid walking alone at night; taxis are a good idea for travelling when it is dark - these can be expensive but registered and licensed taxis are safe for you to use. Do not use unlicensed taxis. The bus service and tram services are also very good and run frequently around the city and its suburbs.

If you feel ill or hurt yourself at college you can inform a teacher or go to the reception. The college has a trained First Aider on-site at all times to provide assistance if required. Please see first aid posters on the notice boards.

Please come to reception and we will help you choose the best service for your needs.

If you need to see a doctor or a dentist:

City Centre Doctors

City Health Centre (NHS)
Second Floor (Boots), 32 Market Street, Manchester, M1 1PL
Tel. 01618396227

City Centre Dentists

City Centre Dental & Implant Clinic
31 Booth St, Manchester, M2 4AF
Tel. 0161 318 0969

Paying for treatment

England provides a National Health Service, which means that UK residents do not have to pay for medical treatment.

Non-UK residents will usually be charged for hospital treatments

If you are an overseas visitor to the UK, you may be charged for some treatments and, depending on how urgent it is, you will usually have to pay in advance. Students on courses of at least 6 months in duration are entitled to some treatment free of charge, but you will need to provide evidence of your study. It is a good idea to have Travel/Health Insurance during your stay to help you cover the costs of medical treatment.

Minimum attendance rate of 90%
If your attendance drops below this percentage you will not get your course certificate.

You are expected to:

• Attend all your classes
• Be on time for all your classes
• Contact the college by telephone or email if you will miss a class

College telephone number: +44 (0)777 666 1680

This includes appointments, doctor/dentist, embassy or a scheduled exam. You may need to provide evidence, such as a note or letter so that your attendance is recorded properly.

Not telling the college when or why you will be absent will result in your being marked as an unauthorised absence; this will affect your overall attendance.

If you are late, ask your teacher if you can enter the class; your teacher may say no. If your teacher does not allow you to enter the class until after the break, go to Reception.

Poor attendance rates

If your attendance falls below 90% and does not improve, we will go through the following process:

1. Friendly warning
2. Verbal warning
3. Written warning
4. Meeting with a Director of Studies
5. Final written letter
6. Expulsion

Changing your course   

• If you need to change your booking please speak with your agent or the Student Experience Manager at the college
• You are able to upgrade (increase the number of lessons you study)
• You are able to add private classes (depending on availability)
• You are able to change your course if you are keeping the same number of lessons per week (e.g. B20 > G20)
• You are not able to “downgrade” your course, which means to reduce the number of lessons you study
• You are not able to condense your course, which means to shorten your course and increase the number of lessons.

Holidays   

Throughout the year, there may be periods where the college will be closed; this is due to bank holidays and religious holidays. No refunds or other compensation is available for classes that would normally take place when these holidays fall. View upcoming UK public holidays and college closures.

If you would like to take a holiday, you must submit a holiday request as per below:

• Email: [email protected]
• You must notify us at least 1 week before you wish to take your holiday
• Your holiday must run from Monday to Friday

Your course will be extended for the period of time you take a holiday.
If you take a holiday and do not tell us then your attendance will be affected and it may affect your visa.
The holiday allowance during your course is for every 12 weeks that you study, you are entitled to 1 week of holiday.
Embassy students must follow their embassy rules.