Student Support and Guidance

Information for Students Learning at a distance

WELCOME

I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to your studies and to inform you of the many facilities available to you as a student on a Canterbury Christ Church University collaborative programme. These web pages will be a useful reference for information on a range of learning, support, careers and development services available to you throughout the duration of your programme. Please do not hesitate to access the support and advice available to ensure you achieve your aims.

I hope that you enjoy your studies and your association with Canterbury Christ Church University. If you have any general concerns, please do not hesitate to contact your programme manager, who will be able to help. If you have any queries about Canterbury Christ Church University, its services or procedures then please contact the i-zone on 01227 782222 or e-mail i-zone@canterbury.ac.uk.

Professor Margaret Andrews
Pro-Vice Chancellor (Students)

Student Support Services

You will normally access student support services at your own college/institution. However, you are also entitled to make use of the services at Canterbury Christ Church University. In the first instance, any queries about these services should be made to the i-zone by calling 01227 782222 or by emailing i-zone@canterbury.ac.uk.

Student Procedures

You are advised to consult the Student Procedures to find out essential information for Canterbury Christ Church students.

Student Study Support

The aim of  Student Study Support is to provide academic support to all students at the university, whatever their level of study or location within Canterbury Christ Church or its partner institutions. This support is offered on a confidential, non-judgemental basis and is independent of the various teaching departments in the university. The services of Student Study Support are provided free of charge to individuals, as well as to groups of students.

A variety of different services are on offer through Student Study Support. We can provide help with your academic studies, as well as a full programme of study skills workshops at the Canterbury campus. These deal with such things as managing study time, organising and planning your studies, reading and note-taking skills as well as academic writing and other skills. Support material to help you with your studies and academic writing is also available through the Student Study Support Unit.

Student Counselling and Mental Well-being

Counselling involves working with an experienced and specially-trained professional, in a friendly and confidential setting, concerning any problems or issues that are important to you.

It provides the opportunity to have your thoughts and feelings understood and accepted by someone who neither judges you nor offers instant advice, who is outside of the situation, and who is not anxious or upset by it. Working things through with a counsellor can help you see and understand things more clearly, and may enable you to see a way forward. You can discover your strengths and develop skills to deal with difficulties in your life.

The Counselling Service is available through the Canterbury and Broadstairs Campuses. Workshops and training events throughout the academic year (on subjects like stress management, confidence building and dealing with exam anxiety) are also available through this service.

Wherever your location, you can contact the counsellors by telephone on 01227 782686 / 782233 or by email on counselling@canterbury.ac.uk.

The Student Mental Health Adviser regularly meets with students experiencing mental health difficulties.  The main purpose of this service is to offer practical advice and guidance to help minimise the impact of these difficulties on academic progression.  She can help with issues such as time management, motivation and coping with symptoms.

An important part of this service is the provision of advice and guidance to a student's academic department regarding their support needs.  If you have any queries regarding this provision please contact the Student Mental Health Adviser by telephone on 01227 782630 or by email on mental-health-support@canterbury.ac.uk.

Disability Advice Team

Canterbury Christ Church University is committed to supporting disabled students so that they may participate fully in all aspects of the university’s academic and social programmes. To this end, we have a Disability Team based at our Canterbury campus.

We support students who are physically disabled, visually or hearing impaired and who have unseen disabilities such as dyslexia, and other specific learning disabilities or mental illness. We offer information, advice, support, access to equipment and some provision of adapted facilities at our main sites. Students at partner institutions are also likely to have support available at their home sites.

The Disability Team also provides a range of support for students from minority backgrounds and advises the institution in respect of race equality and other equal opportunities matters.

Student Finance

The university provides a service for students needing advice or assistance regarding financial and general student welfare matters.

We provide help and support through the services of the Student Advisers who are available to offer money management advice and the necessary guidance to help students avoid debt.

The Student Advisers administer The Access to Learning Fund. They are also able to offer advice regarding LEA funding entitlements and Student Loans.

The Student Advisers can also provide specific information on general student welfare matters, local childcare provision and are able to assist you in accessing help through outside organisations or agencies.

Employability and Careers Services

During your studies, and up to three years after completion, you may access the Employability & Careers Services for the following: information on courses, jobs, time out, advice on applications and CVs, interview techniques, and guidance on career choices and plans. In addition, you can make use of our quick and professional CV check service. For further information and assistance, please call the i-zone on 01227 782222, or email: careers@canterbury.ac.uk with your enquiry.

JobShop

For graduate, full-time, part-time, seasonal, internship and voluntary positions, plus information on careers fairs, scholarships and bursary opportunities, visit the JobShop.

Volunteering

If you are interested in volunteering either in your local community or further afield, please contact Judy Challis by emailing: volunteer@canterbury.ac.uk, or check out the range of opportunities by visiting the volunteering web pages.

Postgraduate Study, training, research and continuing professional development

There are hundreds of opportunities to continue as a student either on a full-time or part-time basis, or by distance learning for vocational and non-vocational opportunities.  To search for postgraduate courses and research opportunities, go to: Prospects: About Postgrad Study.  If you are interested in further study opportunities at Canterbury Christ Church University, then please contact the Admissions Office via the i-zone on 01227 782222.

Library Services

The Library website contains a lot of useful information to help you find your way round our services and resources.

Once you have obtained a University computing account and received your Smart card, you will be able to borrow material from the campus libraries, access our online resources and apply to visit other University libraries. Further information on services specifically for distance learners is available on the website.