To all students applying for English Tests

The new UKBA regulations have placed a lot of pressure on test centres. Please book your test as soon as you can. If you need to apply for a visa you need a Pearson Pass (43) OR an IELTS 5.5 or a TOEFL 70 in every section.

This note is for those who need to extend their visas and do not have a valid IELTS or TOEFL certificate with scores that meet the above mentioned requirements.

Please note:
THE PEARSON TEST IS THE QUICKEST WAY FOR YOU TO OBTAIN AN ENGLISH CERTIFICATE FOR UKBA VISA APPLICATIONS.
[Suitable for students who have already matriculated with the University of Wales but who urgently require a visa extension.]
WARNING:
THE PEARSON TEST IS NOT RECOGNISED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF WALES FOR MATRICULATION PURPOSES. THEY ONLY RECOGNISE IELTS OR TOEFL.
http://www.pearsonpte.com/testme/campaign/pages/lp06.aspx?gclid=COWbr5SM06gCFUEa4QodCwOBgA
For information regarding Pearson Test of English
http://www.pearsonpte.com/PTEAcademic/practicetest/Pages/home.aspx
For a practice test. NB. Make sure you practice before the test!

RESULTS:
Pearson guarantee results within 5 business days from the test date. [Accepted by UKBA only]
TOEFL and IELTS results normally take 2 weeks from the test date. [Accepted by UW + UKBA]

When to book an appointment:
PLEASE make sure you book your appointment well in advance. It can sometimes take a month before you find a suitable IELTS or TOEFL test centre with a vacancy. You then have to wait 2 weeks for your results.
www.ets.org/toefl/ [ To book your TOEFL test]
www.ielts.org/test_takers_information.aspx - [To book your IELTS test]

Recommendation from Student Services:
If you have the time, rather write IELTS (6 for BA and 6.5 for MBA)or TOEFL iBT (80 for BA and 90 for MBA)tests. They are internationally acceptable and satisfy the University of Wales’ matriculation criteria.
Pearson Test is only recommended when you have too little time to sit the IELTS or TOEFL iBT tests.

For enquiries contact Student Services at studentservices@tasmac.org.uk

Are you Breaking the Law?

Have you ever wanted to experience the British legal system? Ever wondered what it would be like to appear in court? Love the thrill of taking risks?

Over the past year and also very recently, a number of our students have been caught by Transport for London using someone else’s student oyster card. In the past this has resulted in a court appearance, a criminal record and a £120 fine. Students who have a criminal record would also have severe problems extending their visa or applying for PSW due to UKBA regulations. So unless you would like to experience the British Criminal Justice System and feel what it is like to appear in the dock at Hendon Magistrates Court, please do not use your friends student oyster card.

Student 18+ Oyster Cards can be purchased online from www.tfl.gov.uk for £10 and they give a 30% discount on weekly and monthly travel passes. The card runs through the academic year (October—October). Please note the Student 18+ is only worth purchasing if you travel everyday. Do not be tempted into borrowing your friends card for the occasional journey, use your pay–as-you-go card!

Football

There will be a football tournament held this Saturday at 10am in Kingsbury Roe Green Park. Please contact socialevents@tasmac.org.uk to register

Holiday News

Just a reminder the Wembley campus will be closed over the Holidays. Kingsbury campus will be closed from 24th December and will reopen on the 4th January 2011.
Class will begin on the 7th February 2011.
Congratulations on completing your exams! Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year.

Tube Strike

A reminder that there may be a tube strike on Monday. Please check with Journey Planner before you travel. If you have problems making the trip to school please contact Leonora who is covering for Kenny while he is on holiday.

NUS Extra

I am pleased to announce that TASMAC students can now purchase the NUS Extra (National Union of Students) Card. This card will allow students to receive a range of benefits and discounts at 126 national retailers and companies, potentially saving you hundreds of pounds each year.

The card costs only £11 and is available from the National Union of Students, for the full range of benefits of membership please go to: http://www.nus.org.uk/en/NUS-Extra/

Tube Strike

There will be a tube strike from 2nd November evening with services returning to normal on the 4th. Please check your student emails for more information and consult www.tfl.gov.uk

Free Calls to India with Post Office Phone Cards

International phone cards, available from the Post Office for £5, £10 or £20, have a special offer on in the month of November. Users can make free calls to Indian landlines on Saturdays from 12 noon to 12 midnight UK time. For more information please visit: http://www.postoffice.co.uk/portal/po/content1?catId=63700719&mediaId=19300221

ID Cards

Could any student who's ID has expired please email student serices so that we can print a new card.

Prayer Room

A prayer room has now been set up at the Wembley Graduate campus. The Prayer Room is the first door on the left as people go through the double doors on the First Floor

Important Announcement MBA1

As of October 18, 2010, FFBD class will run from 9:00-12:00
Therefore, ELS class will be moved to Tuesday 12.30-3.30 effective from October 19, 2010

Wembley Stadium

Wembley Stadium has the following events taking place over the coming months:
England v Montenegro – 12th October
England v France 17th November
Please be aware that there will be major travel disruptions, check before you travel on www.tfl.gov.uk as bus routes will be altered and major delays are expected in the Wembley area on all transportation links and roads.

Careers Advisor Timetable

The Career's Advisor (Priyanka) will be available on the following days:

Wembley Campus - Monday, Tuesday, Thursday
Kingsbury Campus - Wednesday, Friday

Please feel free to meet Priyanka between 9-5.30pm at the student Services Office.

Student get-together at the Green Man Pub Friday

Students and staff are welcome to attend a get together at the Green Man Pub in Kingsbury on Friday from 6.30pm. Relax and enjoy each others company after a hard week of study. The Green Man is located near TASMAC, turn right onto Kingsbury road, walk 200m, turn right at the traffic lights. See you there!

Student Handbook

The updated student handbook has been made available on the public drive.

Summer Picnic

Unfortunately the summer picnic has been cancelled due to the low number of students who signed up for it. We apologise to those students who were looking forward to event and we will reschedule a similar event soon.

Football Tournament

All students taking part in the football tournament tomorrow are requested to meet at the reception area of the Kingsbury Campus at 11am. The event will go ahead no matter what, even if it is raining!

Student Association

Here is a complete list of Class Representatives for the Student Association:

EGV: No candidate
EAP Group A: Oriero Egwolo
EAP Group B: Phurba Gyelzen Sherpa
MQP: Raju Raj Giri
MBA 1 Group A: Vinitha Arumugam
MBA 1 Group B: Shishankh Kharoo
MBA 2 Group A: Gaurav Dhawan
MBA 2 Group B: No Candidate
MBA 3 Group A: Sreemoyee Dasgupta
MBA 3 Group B: Sanjeev Mainali
MBA Dissertation: Zeeshan Mahmood Qadri
DFP: No candidate
BBA Semester 1 Group A: Dipendra Neupane
BBA Semester 1 Group B: Rienzie Seneviratne
BBA Semester 2 Group A: Nicolia Nanayakkara Kumara
BBA Semester 2 Group B: Anuj Manandhar
BBA Semester 3 Group A: Gopal Ghale
BBA Semester 3 Group B: Roshan Aryal
BBA Semester 4: Ramandeep Kaur Gill

Current General Representative: Gaurav Dhawan/ Zeeshan Mahmood Qadri
Secretary: Sreemoyee Dasgupta

Football Tournament

A TASMAC 5-a-side football tournament will take place on the morning of Saturday the 14th august . Organised by Student Services, the competition consists of a “World Cup” style knockout tournament with different classes and cohorts competing against each other. The draw for the competition will take place soon and fixtures released as soon as possible. Keep an eye out on the student services news blog for more information. Any student wishing to participate should contact Student Services to register their interest or submit there team.

Careers Advice

A reminder to students that Priyanka will be based at the Wembley Graduate Campus on Monday, Tuesday and Friday. She will be at the Kingsbury Undergraduate Campus on Wednesday and Thursday.