Services and Support
Accommodation
Finding a place to live is a very important consideration for anyone planning to study in London. There are many options for accommodation in a city the size of London, and the School is happy to advise students on the various possibilities. Some students can be accommodated in the University of London halls of residence and there are various student hostels throughout London offering student accommodation at reasonable prices.
In addition, applicants and students have access to the University of London Housing Service which offers a wide range of private accommodation. Further information on accommodation will be sent to successful applicants with their offer of admission and students are strongly advised to book accommodation, for at least the first few nights, before travelling to London.
Student Advice
The School has a Student Adviser, who offers impartial and confidential advice on a range of issues including accommodation, financial concerns, immigration and childcare. Where appropriate, students will be referred to external bodies who can provide further help.
Students with families
Students with spouses and children may wish to bring their family with them to London. The School can advise on matters such as schooling, childcare, accommodation, and immigration.
Students are advised to find suitable accommodation before bringing their family to London.
Healthcare
Students at the School have access to the Health Centre, very close to the School. Any particular concerns regarding health or disability can be discussed in advance with the Student Adviser.
Mental Health
The School offers a range of support to students with difficulties affecting their emotional well-being. Some students know they have a condition before coming to the School, or can experience mental health difficulties at some point during their studies.
Students are encouraged to contact the Student Adviser and to disclose any condition on the application form, whether it is a formally diagnosed psychiatric condition, or other form of mental health difficulty such as anxiety or depression. This allows the School to make contact with students at an early stage about their needs, to minimise obstacles in the application and admission process, to ensure that their specialist needs are understood and that they are supported throughout their studies.
Counselling
The School has a counselling service which provides confidential support to anyone who is experiencing anxiety, depression or any other difficulty affecting their emotional or psychological well-being. Applicants are welcome to contact the counsellor for further information, in confidence.
Disability
The School welcomes applications from students with disabilities and aims to offer as much assistance as possible to accommodate your needs. The School will take all reasonable steps to ensure that the application procedure, courses and examinations are organised and delivered to give the best opportunity for full participation by all students. Please let Registry know if there is anything further that can be done to make the application and selection process as accessible as possible.
Applicants with a disability (including long-term medical conditions and dyslexia) can contact the Student Adviser who will discuss applicants' needs and any support required. The Student Adviser is also available to provide confidential advice and support and to answer queries at any point in a student's studies.
Further information can be found at the School's Disability Support pages.
Dyslexia
The School can offer a range of support to students with dyslexia. Students are encouraged to disclose any specific learning disability (including dyslexia, dyspraxia, Attention Deficit Disorder [ADD], Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder [ADHD]) at the time of application. Identifying dyslexia on the application form allows the School to make contact at an early stage, to minimise obstacles in the application and admission process, and to ensure that applicants’ specialist needs and support for studies can be understood.
Students requiring access to specialist dyslexia support, or relevant adjustments (such as extra time in exams) will need an appropriate diagnostic assessment. Registry will require an assessment which has been carried out by an appropriately qualified chartered psychologist (or approved equivalent). Ideally students should have their report updated for postgraduate study before arriving at the School. For further information on diagnostic assessments, please contact the Student Adviser.
English Language Support
Students will need to show that they have a minimum standard of proficiency in English before they enrol at the School. Further details can be found in the How to Apply section of this Prospectus. Students who feel that their studies would benefit from additional language support can attend free weekly group English language classes provided by the School in terms 1 and 2.
Learning Support
The School offers a series of study skills workshops throughout the year, on topics such as effective reading and coping with exams. Academic support is also available from personal tutors and teaching staff. The Student Adviser can provide information and guidance on dyslexia and disability-related issues.
Careers
The Careers Service reflects the varying needs of students at the School, from those with established careers who wish to change direction, to those who have come straight from their first degree and don’t know where to start. The School has two Careers Advisers, who are available to assist students on an individual basis, in small groups, or through School-wide events. Careers events include lectures and seminars on general issues, such as searching for jobs, making applications and interview technique, along with talks by relevant employing organisations.
The School regularly runs careers fairs at which representatives from non-government agencies and other bodies can advise on employment opportunities. The on-site Careers Centre offers a central reference point for job vacancies, careers literature and employer information. Students are also able to use the nearby Careers Group (University of London), which gives them access to one of the best resourced careers libraries in the UK, as well as careers fairs, courses and psychometric testing sessions.
University of London Union
The School is situated in Bloomsbury, the heart of the academic community in London. The University of London Union (ULU) is situated a minute’s walk from the School, and offers a range of services to students, including refectories, bars, travel agent, shop as well as a gym, swimming pool and other sporting facilities. As a full-time student, you will also be eligible for discounts on travel, cinema and theatre tickets, and in some shops.
The Student Community at the School
The Students’ Representative Council (SRC) provides a focus for student opinion and identity with the School, through representation on committees and by acting as a link between staff and students. In addition to this, the SRC organises School-wide social and sporting events – past activities have included a summer barbecue, an International Fair and a charity jog in Regent’s Park. All students are affiliate members of the SRC, and each MSc course and Research faculty has representatives who act as a focus and channel for student opinion. We hope you will want to get involved!
