Student Support

Aberystwyth University has an excellent record of high student satisfaction.  We offer a range of services to support your postgraduate career and to ensure your success. The new Student Centre opens in the autumn of 2008.  Located in the heart of the campus, the Centre brings together advisers from a variety of areas: student finance, grants and loans, study skills, health, and disabilities.  You are welcome to schedule an appointment, or drop in for a chat whatever support you require.  Please keep in touch with us if we can be of any service, of whatever kind.

Students with Disabilities

The University has a higher than average number of students with disabilities, successfully pursuing their academic goals.  We aim to ensure your full participation in the intellectual and social life of Aberystwth. The Disabilities Co-ordinator is your important link to the range of services or adjustments which can keep you on track.   Adapted flats are available within Halls.  We also operate a ‘green card’ scheme, which gives special access to information services and assistive technologies.  Individualised information is also available upon request. 

UK students should note the existence of the Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA). See also:

www.aber.ac.uk/welfare-disability/

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/EducationAndTraining/HigherEducation/DG_10034898

Counselling

Counselling services are available for those who wish to address aspects of their personal development and well-being.  A professionally qualified team of full-time and part-time counsellors can offer support and guidance in a variety of areas.  They have special competence in stress management, relaxation techniques and dealing with anxiety.  From time to time, group work and presentations are offered.  The service is fully confidential.

Advisory Services

The Guild runs the Student Advisory and Counselling Centre, which offers a friendly and confidential environment in which to discuss your personal welfare.  The staff includes a full-time Welfare Adviser, who is qualified to discuss with you a whole range of practical issues. The service can offer details of housing, finance and visas as well as assisting with perplexing situations. You are also welcome to drop in.

Nightline is a fully confidential, anonymous information helpline, run for students by students. It can provide practical information about life in general.  It operates out-of-hours and is not a crisis helpline, but can put you in touch with other agencies, like the Samaritans.

Student Health Centre

Located on the main campus, the Student Health Centre is available to you in addition to – not instead of – your personal GP. It is staffed by GPs, a Nurse and a full-time Receptionist. You are welcome to schedule an appointment, or sometimes a drop in consultation is possible In addition to the usual range of medical and health issues, we have long experience of the special issues which can affect students, including emotional well-being, sexual health and prescription advice The Centre is a non-prescribing service, and the staff work closely with the local GPs, hospital and caring services. You are strongly advised to register with a local General Practitioner at the earliest opportunity.

Childcare Facilities

The University operates a day nursery which is staffed by qualified professionals: full and part-time places are available for children between 6 weeks and 5 years of age.

The University also operates after-school clubs and holiday play schemes that include swimming, outings to parks, walks, games, arts and crafts etc. Childcare can be arranged for students who have to attend lectures on Bank holidays or school INSET days, or if an exam needs to be taken on a Saturday. The University also maintains a list of local registered childminders.

To ensure that appropriate arrangements can be made, please apply at the earliest opportunity.