How can I find accommodation?
The accommodation office or student housing officers at the university will be able to offer advice and guidance on finding suitable accommodation. Lots of first year students opt for halls of residence as a good way of meeting other students and it’s convenient for day-to-day needs. A number of universities and colleges now manage their accommodation in line with government-approved codes of practice, such as the
Universities UK Accommodation Code of Practice.
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What support services are available for students?
Universities, student societies, welfare officers and other organisations all provide a range of support services and advice, both on general issues and on support for those with specialist needs. This might include for example students with disabilities or students with children.Information on financial support is outlined on the
Directgov website. The network of
Citizens Advice Bureaux provides free and independent advice.
Skill, the National Bureau for Students with Disabilities, also has information on its website.
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How can students make a complaint?
Universities will have an official complaints procedure that should be followed. If the University’s internal procedures for dealing with complaints and appeals have been exhausted and the complaint has not been resolved the student may take their complaint to the
Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education (OIA), which provides an independent scheme for the review of student complaints or appeals.
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How can students find work experience or placement opportunities?
Many universities offer a job shop which is a dedicated job centre for students and graduates that offers or advertises a range of job opportunities for students and graduates to help develop the skills and competencies that today’s employers are looking for. The university careers advisory service will also be a useful source of information and advice.
There are a number of commercial websites advertising vacancies. A small selection is listed below.
Please note that nationals from the European Union can usually work without restrictions though will need to bear in mind the time needed to study and any prescriptions the university places on the maximum amount of time you can spend in paid employment. International students should consult the regulations within their Visa to determine if they are permitted to work and if so, for how many hours per week.
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