Support, wellbeing and counselling

We want to make sure that your time at RAU is both rewarding and fulfilling. We all have times in life when we could do with a little extra support.

Student Hub

The Student Hub is at the heart of the campus making it easy for students to access the University services you need.

The Hub is a place you can come to book an appointment or find out more about Student Support activities and also where you can check in with Registry for practicalities such as collecting course related letters, checking your timetable, asking about extensions, or requesting transcripts. You can also come and enquire about appointments and information sessions with the Enterprise and Employability team and find out how you can get involved in our social enterprise projects. It is also where Student Support hold their appointments with students, using private and confidential meeting rooms. It is generally staffed between 10:00am - 4:00pm each weekday so please do come along and find out how we can help you during your time at the RAU.

Student Support drop-ins and appointments

The Student Support team are based in the Student Hub in the Emrys Jones building and are here to offer emotional support, practical advice and guidance. They are a point of contact for students facing all kinds of challenges. They have specialisms in mental health, positive wellbeing, and disability support, however they are also available for students facing any difficulty, challenge, or dilemma, ranging from loneliness, stress or anxiety, to relationship issues, bullying and harassment, and everything in between.  

The team runs daily drop-in sessions between 2:00pm - 4:00pm each weekday afternoon. This is where you can speak with an advisor and, if needed, begin the process of accessing specialist support. These drop-ins are designed to be the first point-of-contact with the service and students can come and speak about absolutely any challenge they may be facing; nothing is too large or too small.

These drop-in sessions are the core of the Student Support team’s offer and give you an opportunity to speak to a caring and non-judgemental professional who will listen and give you the space and time you need. They will always try and offer support but they can also link you up with other teams if the help you require exists elsewhere.

The Student Support team also have bookable appointments so you can talk to an expert in more depth. The advisors will ensure that you access all the support available to you. 

Mental Health support

It is not uncommon to face challenges with your mental health and wellbeing during your time at university, it’s a time of big change. These challenges could range from feeling homesick or lonely, to feeling stressed or anxious about assessments or problems within your friendship group, or it could be that you are managing an emerging or previously diagnosed mental health condition. The Student Support drop-in sessions are the first port of call to help with your issue and are a place where you can find confidential support. The Student Support team also have a Mental Health Coordinator who can provide expert advice and support for students in crisis or with more complex needs, and together the team runs events and campaigns throughout the year to encourage positive wellbeing.

The Student Support team can also refer students for counselling sessions if they are required and these are generally delivered in collaboration with our long-term partners at Cotswold Counselling.

Disability support

Disability support covers dyslexia and a wide range of other specific learning differences (including dyspraxia, dyscalculia, ADD, ADHD, Autism) as well as all physical, medical and mental health conditions that might affect your studies and life at University. 

Find out more about the support and advice we offer for students with a disability, dyslexia or learning difference.

Academic support - personal tutors

You will be allocated a member of academic staff who will be your personal tutor for the whole time you're at University. After your first meeting at the start of your course you'll have further scheduled meetings to discuss your progress and to offer guidance on your studies.

Health centre

The University health centre is located on campus should you require medical attention for illness or accident while you are at University. The University nurse uses a triage system to decide if a doctor’s appointment is necessary. When the health centre is not open, you can contact the Phoenix Surgery directly. You will also be able to collect prescriptions from the health centre.

Student lounge

The student lounge is an alternative space for students to relax in. It is open until 11:00pm each evening and you will find games and TV with Netflix, soft seating and Wi-Fi access. It is an alcohol-free zone.