Giving You Support

Because we want your time as a student to be enjoyable and rewarding, we provide a range of services that you can tap into.

What's On Offer?

Our Student Support Services Department provides support, guidance, information and advice on a wide range of issues.

Comprising specialists in Careers and Job Shop, Counselling, Disabled Student Support, Volunteering and Welfare and Student Money Advice, each section offers drop-in sessions and appointments on both our Newton Park and Sion Hill campuses.

These services are available to all students: full-time and part-time, UK and international. Help is available in the form of professional advice, practical and financial assistance, emotional support, and access to a wide range of relevant organisations and contacts.

You'll be sure of a friendly reception and useful information, guidance and advice from specialist staff, no matter how large or small your concern may be.

All members of Student Support Services will deal with you on the basis of total confidentiality and will not disclose information to others without your express agreement.

Student Welfare and Money Advice

Almost everyone dealing with the packed life and hectic pace of a student could do with a bit of help on occasions. If you come to the Welfare Office you will be seen promptly, and if your situation needs additional sessions, you'll be given an appointment with the specialist most suited to your needs.

We won't make decisions for you - just help you to make them for yourself, whether they be about balancing study, work and social life, personal issues, being away from home, friends and relationship difficulties, health or loneliness, or any of the many issues students encounter in their busy lives.

We can guide you through the intricacies of student finance. Advice is available on student loans and other forms of student funding, as well as on budgeting and how to handle and negotiate debt. The Welfare Office administers the loans and grants which are available in special circumstances to students suffering particular hardship.

Counselling

If you're having problems that may take a little longer to resolve and which are making it difficult to concentrate on studying or just getting on with your life, you can have up to six counselling sessions with a professional counsellor to help you get back on track. Our counsellor deals with many issues including anxiety, depression, bereavement or family problems. The counselling takes place in a completely confidential environment, and all discussions are treated with respect and discretion.

Disabled Students

Bath Spa University welcomes applications from disabled students.

We recognise the importance of addressing each individual person's particular needs. At the same time we want to make all our facilities and courses as accessible as possible.

You will be given help with applying for and implementing your Disabled Students Allowance, if applicable, and the Disability Support Office will work with staff to make reasonable adjustments to help you get the most out of your studies.

If you have, or think you may have a disability, please come and discuss your needs with us as soon as possible so we can ensure that we are doing everything we can to help you enjoy your life and studies at Bath Spa.

Medical Services

We encourage all students to register with our medical service which is provided by a local GP practice. Surgeries are held, with a doctor and nurse, twice a week at Newton Park campus and once a week at Sion Hill. At all other times, students can attend appointments at the practice health centre in town.

A Multi-Faith Environment

We welcome students of all faiths and none. Members of the University Chaplaincy team visit the campus each week for a drop-in session and special events are organised from time to time. We maintain contacts with other faiths and their details are available from the Student Support Services Department.

Volunteer Challenge

Becoming a volunteer at Bath Spa University enables you to share your skills and interests with other students and people in the local community. You can choose to make a regular commitment or do a one- off session.

You'll be able to find out about strengths you never knew you had, working in an area of your choice, whether on environmental issues, with local young people, in sport, helping the elderly or in the arts. The list is growing all the time. Your experience as a volunteer will also give you an edge with future employers - they'll see your interests, your willingness to give that bit extra, your skills.

More information

For further information about Student Support Services contact us on:

welfare@bathspa.ac.uk

counselling@bathspa.ac.uk

disability@bathspa.ac.uk

volunteerchallenge@bathspa.ac.uk

careers@bathspa.ac.uk

jobs@bathspa.ac.uk

Students with Children

The Oak Tree Day Nursery at our Newton Park campus offers high quality childcare to families of students, staff and the local community. A variety of activities is available to enable children to experiment and learn through play, creating a happy, secure and stimulating environment.

The Nursery is located in two adjoining houses, arranged for children of different ages. The Caterpillars Room, for children aged between six months and two years, has separate play areas for mobile and non-mobile children, and a sleep room. The Squirrels Room, for children between two and three years, has a main play area, a messy area and a quiet area. Key workers in the Caterpillar Room and Squirrel Room use the Birth - Three Matters framework to support children's growth, learning and development. The Badger Room prepares children aged between three and five for school, and provides an effective balanced, curriculum based on the Early Learning Goals. The activities offered are fun, motivating, cater for all six areas of development, and are adapted to meet each child's individual needs. There is also an outside play area with a variety of outdoor equipment.

All staff have the experience and/or qualification suitable to their role and duties, and all hold a valid first aid certificate.

You can book morning, afternoon or full day sessions, from 0830h to 1730h (with limited spaces for sessions starting at 0800h and finishing at 1800h). Student rates in 2006/07 ranged from £14.50 to £20.88 per session, and £29.00 and £31.00 for a full day (0830h-1730h), depending on the age of the child.

For more information about the nursery, and about Nursery Education Grants and Childcare Grants, contact the Day Nursery Manager on:

Telephone: (01225) 875590.

Mature and Access Students

Over a third of our students are mature students (by which we mean someone who has returned to education after a break from studying). As a mature student you will bring a wealth of experience and diverse skills to your studies, and, our experience suggests, will surprise yourself [but not us] with how well you will do.

We consider applicants with non-traditional qualifications and/or relevant experience positively. We welcome mature students and in looking at your application we assess prior learning (APL) and experiential learning (APEL) as a foundation for study in higher education. We also encourage applications from students on Access to Higher Education programmes.

As well as advisors being available on our main Open Days and Open Evening, mature and Access students are invited to summer schools to help them prepare for university and to settle into the routines and practicalities of student life. We understand that many mature students have family, financial and other long-term commitments which need to be taken into account.

For more information about the support available to mature and access students, contact the Widening Participation Officer on:

Telephone: (01225) 876223.

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