If you’re experiencing difficulties either with your studies or with your health or finances, the Department and the University offers a range of different types of support. This section includes a brief overview of this support and is divided into the following sections.
- Academic Support within the Department
- What to do in an emergency and out-of-hours support
- University support services
- Disability Service
- Study Skills Service
- Maths Skills Support Centre
- Support for EU and International Students
- English Language teaching
- Information Services: the Library and IT Services
- Student Health Service and advice about meningitis
- Student Counselling Service
- The Advice Hub
- The Student Financial Support Team
- The Chaplaincy Centre
- Childcare
- Equality and Diversity
In addition to providing support, the University also provides the following facilities to allow you to exercise, take up new hobbies, meet new people and apply for work.
- Centre for Sport and Recreation
- University of Strathclyde Students’ Association (USSA)
- Careers Service
Academic Support within the Department
When you start your course you will be assigned a personal development adviser (PDA) – you will meet your PDA in a small group during first year, and periodically in subsequent years. You can also arrange a personal meeting at any time if you wish to discuss matters in private. If you are in any doubt, you can find out who your PDA is by looking at your Pegasus record.
In addition to your PDA, each year has a year adviser of studies who is more likely to be able to help with curriculum-related issues. In 2017-2018 the year advisers of studies for each year are:
If you feel that you cannot talk to your personal development adviser or your year adviser of studies, you can talk to Alex Coddington, the Director of Undergraduate Teaching, or Professor Neil Ghani, the Head of Department.
Student Staff Committee
The Departmental Student Staff Committee includes representatives of undergraduates of all years; first year representatives are elected some weeks into the first semester, and other members at the start of the academic year. The role of the Committee is to discuss and suggest solutions to student problems arising within the Department, and to act as a channel of communication between undergraduates and academic staff, particularly through encouraging contact between staff and students. Issues for the student staff committee should be raised through your class representative, but only if the issue has not been handled satisfactorily by the lecturer involved or the year adviser of studies. The Chair of the Student Staff Committee is Isla Ross.
Resolving Problems
If you think something is wrong with how we teach, assess or administer a course it is helpful for us to know – although all lecturers in the department have considerable experience of teaching, they might be teaching this material for the first time or external factors may be impacting on the course differently this year from the past. It is worth speaking to the lecturer as soon as possible if you perceive a problem – things can usually be corrected or at least the reasons explained. If you have questions or problems with the course as a whole, you should talk to your year adviser of studies in the first instance.
You may also refer issues to the Staff Student Committee representatives for your year. There is also a University Complaints procedure, for use where it has proved impossible for you to resolve a difficulty satisfactorily within the normal departmental procedures.
What to do in an Emergency and Out of Hours Support
The University provides a list of emergency contacts. Outwith office hours the University Security Services are available 24 hours a day to provide assistance with emergencies, first aid and security incidents, and can be contacted on the following numbers.
- 3333 using the internal phones from any academic building
- +44 (0)141 548 2222 (emergency use only)
- +44 (0)141 548 3333 from off-campus or mobile phone
If you need urgent emergency help call the security desk on 3333 from any internal phone (including the lifts). Alternatively, call 999 from your mobile but then please inform security (0141 548 3333) who can prepare for ambulance/police arrival.
If you find a fire, raise the alarm with an alarm point – this will automatically lead to evacuation – and call the fire service. Always raise the alarm first before taking other action! If the fire is very small you may then try to extinguish it using a fire extinguisher but always keep on the exit side of the fire. Never use water/foam extinguishers on electrical equipment (including near computers!).
The contact details of various external support groups that can offer advice outwith office hours, such as the Samaritans, Nightline and NHS 24, can be found via the following web page on Emergency Contacts & Support.
University Support Services
The University’s online student handbook StrathLife contains information and links to a number of support services.
Disability Service
The Disability Service offers advice and assistance to students (and prospective students) with disabilities. Assistance is available in relation to claims for Disabled Student Allowance, advice on the purchase and use of special IT equipment, and liaison with academic staff on behalf of students, e.g. in relation to adjustments which might be made in the light of a disability.
Julie Sobocinski is the Departmental Disability Contact (DDC) if you wish to get advice or discuss issues within the department.
Study Skills Service
The Study Skills Service is located on the 6th floor of the Livingstone Tower and organises a series of Study Skills Workshops on topics such as: assignment planning, writing and reviewing; critical thinking; time management. The Study Skills Service also provides support to students in the form of individual consultations.
Maths Skills Support Centre
The Maths Skills Support Centre aims to provide academic support to all students who are studying mathematics at Strathclyde or who require an element of mathematics in their chosen degree. The Centre focusses on support for 1st and 2nd year undergraduates but tries to help all students with their mathematical needs. The Maths Skills Support Centre is located in Room 308 in the Livingstone Tower and is open on Monday-Friday, 10.30am-3.30pm. If you are struggling with maths, either drop in to the Centre or contact them to arrange an individual appointment.
Support for EU and International Students
Pre-arrival and welcome information, as well as information about accommodation, banking, cost of living, visas, etc. can be found via the International Student Support Team‘s web pages. The International Student Support Team offer guidance and information to all international students.
English Language Teaching
The English Language Teaching unit offers a range of In-Sessional English language support classes for students and scholars at Strathclyde University whose first language is not English. The courses aim to help students improve the English they need both for studying and for everyday communication.
Student Health Service
The Student Health Service is located on level 2 of the Livingstone Tower and works in conjunction with the NHS to enable students to access appropriate services and to register with a general practitioner (GP). The Service provides support with health related issues, assistance to access other professionals and advice on a range of health issues, minor illness and common ailments. The Student Health Service Nurse can assist in promoting positive health and wellbeing by providing advice and information on looking after your health. Appointments with the nurse can be made Monday-Friday.
Meningitis
Meningococcal meningitis and/or septicaemia is a rare but potentially fatal illness which can develop very rapidly. Meningococcal meningitis is caused by an organism commonly found in the throats of healthy people. Young children and students are two of the key vulnerable groups because their immune systems are often working hardest.
There are different types of meningitis – the most common being Groups B and C. While there is now a safe vaccine for Group C only young children have received this routinely, but it is available through your GP. Because of lack of coverage for Group C vaccination and the lack of a vaccine against Group B, it is very important that students should be alert to the possibility of meningococcal infection if they, or any of their friends/flat-mates, develop a rapidly progressing flu-like illness, particularly when characterised by any of the following symptoms or combination:
- Fever/vomiting
- Limb / joint / muscle pain
- Cold hands and feet / shivering
- Pale or mottled skin
- Breathing fast / breathless
- Rash (anywhere on the body)
- Very sleepy / vacant / difficult to wake
- Confused / delirious
- Severe headache
- Stiff neck
- Dislike of bright lights
- Seizures
Diagnosis can be extremely difficult but early intervention can be very effective and life saving- if in doubt, seek help early from your GP, the NHS 24-hour helpline (08454 24 24 24), the Meningitis Research Foundation 24-hour (08088 003344) or if very concerned by calling for help on 999. See Full symptoms alert chart.
Student Counselling Service
The Student Counselling Service is a confidential service for UK undergraduate and postgraduate students at the University of Strathclyde, available at any time during your university career.
The Student Counselling Service is a good place to start for students experiencing difficulties which prevent them from making the most of the many opportunities which the university offers. You are welcome to explore any issue with one of the staff, whether this is personal or related to your academic studies, from the past or something that is on-going. Staff are also happy to make suggestions about other sources of information and support.
The Advice Hub
The Advice Hub is located on Level 5 (access via Level 6) of the Students’ Union building and is the Union’s free independent advice and support centre. It can help with academic appeals, financial problems and personal matters, as well as general enquiries. Whatever your issues are, you can discuss them with expert staff by appointment or just dropping by.
The Student Financial Support Team
The University has a dedicated Student Financial Support Team who can provide advice and assistance to students on financial matters, including Undergraduate and Postgraduate degree funding queries, applications for the Discretionary Fund, applying for support from SAAS and the Student Loans Company, and advice regarding short term loans. The team is located within the McCance Building.
The Chaplaincy Centre
The Chaplaincy Centre’s function is to support the University’s students and staff – a community comprising more than 40 different nationalities – and to provide opportunities for religious worship and celebration, as well as social interaction. The University has a full-time Chaplain who can be found within the Chaplaincy Centre on Level 2 of the Graham Hills Building (GH208). The Chaplaincy also runs The Cafe (also on Level 2 of the Graham Hills Building) which sells reasonably priced food and drinks.
Childcare
ChildCare Scotland runs a custom-built Nursery on the campus for pre-school children of all ages, on a paying basis (the Nursery Manager can be contacted on 0141 553 4125 / 0141 548 4125). Places are however limited so early application is best.
Equality and Diversity
The University of Strathclyde is committed to achieving and promoting equality of opportunity in the learning, teaching, research and working environments. We value the diversity of our students and support the development of mutual respect and positive relations between people. The University has in place Equality Outcomes which meet the requirements the Equality Act 2010 which can be found via the Equality Information for Students web page. You are advised to familiarise yourself with the University approach on equality and diversity and relevant developments and information by visiting the Equality and Diversity website. If you have any queries please bring these to the attention of staff or the University’s Equality and Diversity office.
Centre for Sport and Recreation
The Centre for Sport and Recreation offers all members of the University the opportunity to participate in physical activity as a means of achieving a healthier lifestyle, to develop new physical skills and to maintain or improve their sporting talents. The department is located in the Sports Centre at the top of John Street, very close to the Students’ Union. Facilities include a twin court Sports Hall containing 6 badminton courts and facilities for all major indoor games; a separate activities room which houses fitness classes and a range of martial arts; 5 squash courts, a weight training room and a well-equipped cardiovascular fitness suite containing 60 exercise machines and personal weight training stations.
In the Royal College Building, accessed from John Street, there is a 20yd x 10yd 4-lane swimming pool, above which is a traditional gymnasium.
University of Strathclyde Students’ Association (USSA)
All students at the University are members of USSA and can make use of the many facilities it offers.
Careers Service
The Careers Service is located on the 6th floor of the Livingstone Tower and is a recognised leader in its field. Its mission is to ‘enhance students’ employment prospects’. Strathclyde students and graduates are targeted through the Careers Service by a wide range of international, national and local employers; market research amongst these groups regularly identifies the Careers Service as amongst the most highly regarded. It deals with over 30,000 enquiries each year from students, graduates, employers, university administrators, academic colleagues and government departments and agencies.
The centre is not only useful for seeking a first permanent job upon completion but also for finding summer work and placements.