Welcome to Student Life and all that we have to offer. The whole team are dedicated to helping you succeed and supporting you during your time at the University of Suffolk. As well as accessing support services and one-to-one advice and guidance, we hope that you will take part in our events and mentoring opportunities that are designed to help you develop essential personal and professional skills.
Have a fantastic time at Suffolk and make every moment count.
Chantalle Hawley Assistant Director of Student Life
The Student Centre aims to make life as simple as possible for students and those who may wish to study here in the future, so if you have a question, the Student Centre is the place to start looking for an answer.
Our knowledgeable team of advisers provide a welcoming, friendly and efficient service, respond ‘on-thespot’ to the majority of enquiries and help you to access any of the specialist services when required.
We help you with:
Course enquiries and guidance on how to apply to university
Enrolment support
Student finance, bursaries and funding advice
Student accommodation
Student Life appointments, information and guidance
ID card and parking permit enquiries
Support with GradIntelligence for attendance certificates and achievement reports
Timetable and room enquiries
Assignment hand-in and collection
NHS expense claims guidance
Guidance and support with University policies, including extenuating circumstances
Live-chat assistance on the University website
Representing your experience to inform policies including equality, diversity and inclusion
The Student Centre also coordinates bookable sessions with a therapy dog for students through the charity Pets as Therapy.
We are available:
Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, 8.45am–5.15pm
Tuesday, 8.45am–5.15pm (live chat until 6.30pm)
Friday, 8.45am–4.45pm
Closed over the Christmas/ New Year period and on bank holidays
The Waterfront Reception team meet and greet visitors to the University, operate the switchboard and assist staff and students with enquiries. They are also responsible for providing temporary passes for staff, students and visitors, sending out prospectuses and assisting staff with matters including ID cards, parking permit enquiries, and loaning equipment.
Reception opening times:
Monday to Thursday 8.00am–5.15pm, Friday 8.00am–4.45pm
Closed over the Christmas/ New Year period and on bank holidays
The Reception is on the ground floor of the Waterfront Building. You can call us on 01473 338000 or email us at wfreception@uos.ac.uk
In partnership with Endsleigh, we offer a comprehensive Student Assistance Programme (SAP), providing 24/7 confidential support, tailored to your specific needs.
Through SAP, the University offers a 24/7 counselling helpline giving you access to a counsellor at all times of the day, supporting you out-ofhours and in non-term times. You can also benefit from the My Healthy Advantage app which includes self-help resources and a live-chat with counsellors. SAP also offers an online health and wellbeing portal with information and programmes about resilience, sleep, positive body image, stress, and money worries.
Student Space text service is available 24/7 on 85258 Don’t be afraid to ask for help, text ‘STUDENT’ to start a conversation or visit studentspace.org.uk
Suffolk Mind on suffolkmind.org.uk
Suffolk Wellbeing for wellbeing support on wellbeingnands.co.uk/suffolk
SHOUT is a 24/7 crisis text service for times when you need immediate support. Just text ‘SHOUT’ to 85258 for text support with a trained volunteer
You can call NHS FirstResponse to talk to a mental health professional on 0808 196 3494
The Samaritans are available 24 hours a day. Call 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org
Counselling is an independent, impartial and confidential service available to any student. It can offer an opportunity to explore topics or issues with an impartial Counsellor who is trained to help you.
You may want to talk about a change in your personal life, something that has happened to you recently or in your past, or anything you find yourself struggling with.
Having the space to explore and talk through our feelings and thoughts can make a big difference to how well we cope with change, new challenges and opportunities.
If you would like to make a self-referral please complete a referral form, available from the Student Centre or on MySuffolk at intranet.uos.ac.uk/counselling
Please note that the Counselling Service is available all year round, however, there is usually a waiting list to be seen for a first assessment and counselling sessions.
The Disability and Wellbeing team are here to support you throughout your university experience.
The team includes Disability and Mental Health Advisers, Disability and Wellbeing Advisers and Learning Differences and Accessibility Assessors.
We offer a confidential and non-judgmental service and if you have additional learning needs it is important that you access support early.
Whether you have a disability, mental health condition, autism spectrum condition, specific learning difficulty or may benefit from help for any other reason, please contact us so that we can ensure your support arrangements are in place.
Bookable appointments can be made with your Disability and Wellbeing Advisers and your Disability and Mental Health Advisers as required.
Advisers can discuss individual support needs and help with a range of study and personal difficulties.
We provide brief interventions, practical and pastoral support and can signpost to specialist services. You can book an appointment if you are worried about your health or if you have any ongoing difficulties which are affecting your studies.
We are available throughout the year from 9.00am–4.00pm, Monday to Friday. Disability advice appointments are scheduled in 30–45 minute slots.
Support arrangements
Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA): We can advise on eligibility, the application process and arranging your support
Reasonable Adjustments: We can discuss additional support needs which, if required, will be recommended via the Reasonable Adjustments Agreement
Exam Concessions: Anyone requiring exam concessions must meet with a team member at least three weeks prior to their first exam, and appropriate evidence that meets eligibility criteria will be required
Screening and assessment for specific learning difficulties are free of charge and exam concessions can be implemented.
For the purposes of applying for Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) you will be required to have a full diagnostic assessment as evidence, which has been completed after the age of 16 years old. There will be a contribution cost for this.
Our Mental Health Advisers are experienced mental health professionals. They offer support and information if you are worried about your mental health or you have an ongoing mental health condition that affects your ability to study.
They can provide brief interventions, including one-to-one appointments. We can also support you to access specialist NHS services for diagnosis and treatment.
You can book appointments online through MySuffolk at intranet.uos.ac.uk/disabilityand-wellbeing, by calling the Student Centre on 01473 338833 or by emailing studentlife@uos.ac.uk
Student finance can seem complicated but we are here to help. We provide information and advice on a range of financial matters, whether you are a current or prospective student.
Advice on statutory funding
Discretionary financial help through the Financial Support Fund for students experiencing financial hardship (T&Cs apply)
Assistance to students trying to prove estrangement or independent status with their funding body
Liaising with authorities and organisations to assist students with financial difficulties
Signposting regarding benefit entitlement
If you have any concerns about managing your money, the University has partnered with Blackbullion to offer you free finance education. They will provide you with finance information and guidance teaching you how to budget effectively.
Simply head to blackbullion.com and register with your university email address.
For current students we offer one-to-one appointments both online and in person.
You can contact us on moneyadvice@uos.ac.uk
The University welcomes students from all over the world and pastoral care is available to all. This includes tailored international inductions, wellbeing and learning support and guidance thoroughout your time studying in Ipswich.
International Festival — we celebrate the diversity and culture of our overseas students with an annual International Festival held each Spring.
We host various workshops and activities for our students to meet up and make new friends. Our International Big Night In is our colourful celebration of traditional dress, crafts and games.
Why not come along to our next International Student Community Café, where we meet every month and explore different topics. It’s a great opportunity to meet other international students, find out about the different university services available and ask questions.
Email internationaladvice@uos.ac.uk for more information.
The multi-faith chaplaincy serves both staff and students at the University.
Our team of chaplains represent a variety of faiths and religious perspectives, but you don’t need to be ‘religious’ to make use of the chaplaincy. Anyone can access the support our team offer, whether or not you are a person of faith.
Our chaplains are here to listen, support, encourage and, where appropriate, to advise or signpost to further avenues of support.
We aim to have a chaplaincy representative in the office situated next to the Students’ Union in the Library Building from 9.30am–2.30pm Monday to Friday.
If you would like to make an appointment with a chaplain from a particular faith perspective, please contact l.pepper@uos.ac.uk and we can arrange that for you. Alternatively you can call on 07854 188536.
We are here to welcome you to Suffolk and provide information and guidance on how to make the most of your time here at the University.
How can a Student Life Mentor help me?
Student Life Mentors are experienced students who can offer information and support with your transition to university and help to make sure you have the best possible experience during your studies.
Student Life Mentors organise activities to help you learn more about university life and to meet new people. Our Student Life Mentors also bring their university and life experience to their role. Many of our Student Life Mentors are:
On placement as part of their course
Working part-time in Ipswich and beyond
Mature students
The first in their family to go to university
Our mentors want to help you get the most out of university and enjoy your time at Suffolk.
How can I contact a Student Life Mentor?
Once you have signed up for the Student Life Mentor Scheme, you will be assigned a mentor who will introduce themselves by email. You are able to carry on communicating via email if you wish, or to meet onsite at the University.
The University has a duty of care to all students and staff to create a safe environment that supports a positive experience of learning and work. There is an enhanced duty of care to safeguard children and adults at risk and to prevent radicalisation of vulnerable individuals.
Safeguarding Officers can be contacted if you have a concern such as:
You are a child or at risk adult and need to talk to someone
You are a member of the University and a child or adult at risk has disclosed alleged abuse, or you suspect abuse, but it is not an emergency
You are concerned that someone is vulnerable to radicalisation or exploitation
An allegation of abuse is made against University staff, students, volunteers or academic visitors
To contact us please email safeguarding@uos.ac.uk
For immediate concerns, such as the risk of serious harm to a child or adult at risk, please contact the emergency services without delay on 999 or 101.
uos.ac.uk/studentcentre