Pre-Degree
Student Support (Pre-Degree)
Academic & Pastoral, Counselling and Disability Support
Our Student Support team offers a team of specialist advisors who can provide information and guidance in a variety of areas, including finance and funding, disability support, counselling, health and wellbeing.
<p dir="ltr">Arts University Plymouth is an inclusive environment where the individual is celebrated. We are fully committed to providing equal opportunities to all, and the Student Support Team works alongside lecturers to support students.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Please discuss your needs with us as early as possible to ensure that we can put appropriate and timely support in place. You can be reassured that any details you disclose will only be shared with relevant staff in order to enhance your learning experience at the university.<br /></p>
Teachers provide effective support for those students who are from disadvantaged backgrounds. They intervene swiftly to ensure that they have the resources and support they need for study, for example free breakfasts, food vouchers and financial support for travel to and from university.
Ofsted Report (Rated "Good") June 2023
<p dir="ltr">All university aims to reduce barriers to learning for all students through an inclusive neurodiversity approach. We work with the individual student, and will make a wide range of reasonable adjustments that may include the following:</p><ul><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Flexible assessment methods</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Access to one to one and group study skills support </p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Access to resources in adaptable and varied formats</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Advice and support for accessing practical sessions</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">General Welfare, Counselling and Holistic Health Support</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Additional Tutorials for students who need extra time to understand learning content and assignment briefs</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Lecture materials in advance via Google Classroom</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Flexibility in attendance and punctuality for students with medical needs</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Students can access Student Support directly if students are experiencing challenges</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Quiet rooms to relax/rest</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Access to PowerPoint/Google slides in advance of the lecture so they can be imported into software</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Sufficient time with library resources to accommodate reading needs and make use of assistive technologies</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Support for students who find group work or presentations challenging</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Learning materials/assignment briefs in accessible language</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Extra time immediately after studio/group sessions with academic staff to check understanding</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Flexible process in place for students with medical needs to receive additional time to meet deadlines for formative and summative assessments.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Constant and consistent messages regarding behaviour</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">The Library has a wide range of audiobooks and spoken word texts to help process information</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Specialist support via the Study Support team for study issues which may include; time management; understanding briefs and assignments; language support; creative writing skills, motivation</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Considerate timetabling and fair warning of changes in timetables and venues</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Early advice and agendas for off-campus activities</p></li></ul>
<p dir="ltr">The standard adjustments listed above are not all-encompassing and we are more than happy to discuss your individual needs. There is no real checklist against which judgments can be made to determine what is reasonable and the consideration of whether an adjustment is ‘reasonable’ is judged against:</p><ul><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">The effectiveness of the adjustment in preventing the disadvantage</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">The extent to which it is practicable for the University to make the adjustment</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">The cost and availability of resources including external assistance and finance</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">The extent to which making the adjustment would disrupt the University’s activities.</p></li></ul>
<p dir="ltr">A reasonable adjustment is an accommodation or alteration to existing arrangements; admissions; academic programmes, learning & teaching, student support services, assessment and rules relating to qualifications where there are inherent barriers for students with disabilities. </p>
<p dir="ltr">It's important to share or disclose your learning needs with our Student Support team, as soon as possible and before your qualification starts. </p>
<p dir="ltr">This reason for sharing or disclosing your learning needs is because we really want to ensure that we provide you with the best experience possible from the very beginning of your Qualification. If we know what you need to learn best then we can try to put measures in place to support you to achieve your best, before your course starts.</p>
<p dir="ltr">If you have any medical needs please contact Student Support so we can discuss how we can support you, by calling +44 (0)1752 203423 ext 211 or emailing <a href="mailto:studentsupport@aup.ac.uk">studentsupport@aup.ac.uk</a>.</p>
Students feel safe at Arts University Plymouth. They value the calm and friendly community that staff have created. They know that if they raise a concern, it will be taken seriously by staff.
Ofsted Report (Rated "Good"), June 2023
<p dir="ltr">The university offers a variety of free in-house services during your studies through the Student Support team, including mentoring, student counselling, health services and referrals and wellbeing workshops.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Appointments with the Student Support Counsellors are professional and confidential and you can get support for a range of issues such as</p><ul><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Anxiety and depression</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Abuse</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Self-harm</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Issues that affect your academic work</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Bereavement</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Issues at home such as those relating to relationships</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Being bullied or harassed</p></li></ul><p dir="ltr">If you are a current student, you can access a range of services online through the <a href="https://sites.google.com/aup.ac.uk/student-support/home?authuser=0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Student Support</a> site. This web page will help you to book a session with a counsellor, and Wellbeing/Welfare Advisors find information and tips on improving mental health and wellbeing, as well as where to go for specialised support and help on a wide range of subjects, from fitness and mental health to bereavement and LGBTQ+ support groups.</p>
<p>For more information please contact <a href="mailto:studentsupport@aup.ac.uk">studentsupport@aup.ac.uk</a>.</p>
Teachers provide effective support for those students who are from disadvantaged backgrounds. They intervene swiftly to ensure that they have the resources and support they need for study, for example free breakfasts, food vouchers and financial support for travel to and from university.
Ofsted Report (Rated "Good"), June 2023
<p dir="ltr">Our Specialist Support Workers support academic and research pursuits for students across the Pre-Degree & Sixth Form campus. </p>
<p dir="ltr">We have an open door policy where you are able to access pastoral and academic support through our Pre-Degree Learning Support Coordinator Vicki Prout (<a href="mailto:vprout@aup.ac.uk"><strong>vprout@aup.ac.uk</strong></a>), and our Lead Safeguarding Officer Carol Edwards (<a href="mailto:cedwards@aup.ac.uk"><strong>cedwards@aup.ac.uk</strong></a>, 01752 203434 ext 227). We can be found in the Student Support office next to the Social Space. <br /></p>