Congratulations if you’ve secured your place and you’re arriving at BU!  And for those thinking of studying here, here’s what you can expect from life at BU. It’s a great uni and a great part of the world to be in.  Here are some hints and tips to get you up to speed if you’re new to the area, and to help you make the most out of your time here at BU.

Student services at BU

BU gives you access to loads of services that will help you make the most of your time here.  Some examples are medical and wellbeing
support, sport and gym facilities, study skills support and personal development.  If there’s anything you need and don’t know where to go for help, askBU is always on hand to answer queries or point you in the direction of someone who can help.  Why not take some time to explore the BU website and get to know more about everything that’s on offer.

Eating and drinking

There are loads of places to grab a coffee or a bite to eat on campus.  You can check out all the details here.  If you fancy branching out, there are loads of places to go and deals to be had off campus too.  Check out the Magicard, which gives you 20% off food and drink at a wide selection of restaurants around the Bournemouth and Poole areas.  Some of my personal favourites include Rancho Steakhouse and Kayla Brasserie!

If a few drinks is what you’re after, Bournemouth is full of night life.  BU has its very own club, The Old Firestation, which hosts a range of themed nights and gigs throughout the year.  There are also plenty of other clubs and bars in Bournemouth, with Old Christchurch Road being the main strip.  It even has a karaoke bar!  Alternatively, if a more civilised drinking experience is your bag, you could venture to Renoufs Wine and Cheese in Westbourne or The Stable in Poole for a cider tasting experience (with or without pizza!).

Music and entertainment 

BU is big on music, and its in-house venue Dylan’s Bar hosts a range of entertainment including open mic nights and pub quizzes.  If you want to head off campus for some live music, the O2 Academy is a lovely intimate venue, and the BIC sees lots of big names in the worlds of music and comedy on its stages.  If you’re after a more cultural entertainment experience, check out the Lighthouse Arts Centre in Poole for a variety of plays and shows or to see the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra in action.

Outdoor spaces
Naturally, the beach is one of Bournemouth’s key attractions!  If you want to venture further you could also check out Sandbanks, or even head to the west of Dorset for a day trip to Weymouth or Lyme Regis.  The area also offers lots of parks and other green spaces, such as Bournemouth Gardens, Slades Farm Open space (just down the road from Talbot Campus!) and Poole Park.

Study Space

With all the fun that Bournemouth has to offer, we wouldn’t be wanting you to get behind with your work!  Both campuses offer extensive library facilities and various open use study spaces, so you can find somewhere quiet to concentrate and crack on with your work when need be.  You can find everything you need to know about the libraries here.

By Lauren Bishop