Student Support
We value you as an individual and aim to provide for your individual needs as well as being a source of information for other services and opportunities which you may not have yet considered.
Our Student Support services comprise our Academic Writing Service, Welfare, Counselling, the Medical Centre and Spirituality and Faith Centre both located in TheHub, and Protection Services. Together we aim to ensure that while you're studying at CU Coventry your welfare is well taken care of.
Download Coventry University's Health and Wellbeing App for up to the minute information on our support services and additional information including:
- Interactive maps to University buildings, the NHS Walk in Centre and Accident and Emergency.
- University emergency contact and help information.
- Links to all up to date public transport information including, links to local bus and train services and telephone numbers for local taxi firms.
You can download the app for free from the iTunes app store for iPhone and iPad or the Google Play store for Android.
Academic Writing Service
The Academic Writing Service (AWS) is part of the Library and Learning Services at CU Coventry and is dedicated to guiding and assisting you with academic writing and assignments through in-person and online workshops and 1-2-1 appointments. This guidance can be for either when you are finding it difficult at the beginning of your course or when you want to develop and achieve the grades you want in years two and three.
Since 2015, the AWS has been embraced by CU Coventry students and has continually grown in popularity, developing close working relationships with students throughout their time studying at CUC. This is because AWS tutors are experienced in the field of academic writing and are trusted by students. It is also because the service is student focused, meaning that students are listened to and their needs are assessed and responded to by tutors.
The AWS can help you in a number of ways. These include:
- Analysing and understanding assignments
- Improving critical thinking and writing
- Writing in an academic style
- Organising and structuring assignments
- Referencing and citing sources
For more information, including subject-specific resources, guides for different types of assignment, annotated examples and even staff resources, you can visit their dedicated LibGuides page.
Booking an appointment
Appointments with the AWS can take place either in-person or online, on a 1-2-1 basis or in small groups.
To contact the AWS, either to book an appointment or to ask a question, you can email them at learningservices.cuc@coventry.ac.uk.
For more information on the booking process, please also visit our LibGuides page.
Welfare
For those students in difficulty, welfare support is here to offer guidance as part of the Customer Services team. CU Coventry students have access to a Welfare Adviser who can offer support by providing a broad range of advice and guidance on personal, practical and emotional issues.
The Welfare Adviser works closely with all academic and professional staff, as well as external agencies, so is able to signpost and refer students to other services who can also offer support.
You can also access a number of self-help guides to support your health and wellbeing. The guides are user friendly and contain detailed information, exercises, coping strategies and resources for a wide range of common mental health conditions.
To book an appointment please visit our Health & Wellbeing portal and book under the service type welfare and disability - CU Coventry. Alternatively you may wish to discuss an issue, in which case email welfare.ss@coventry.ac.uk.
Disability
The campus has excellent facilities, landscaped areas and buildings are fully accessible, providing an environment that can be enjoyed by everyone, including people with physical and sensory disabilities.
Our aim is to ensure that support is in place when you arrive at University. We are therefore happy to provide information and guidance before you complete your application via email or at an Open Event.
Support and guidance is also provided for students’ with disabilities and long term health conditions. This includes assistance with the Disabled Student’s Allowance (DSA).
Care Leavers
If you are a Care Leaver (i.e. you have been in looked after care for at least 13 weeks since the age of 14 and were in care on your 16th birthday) there is lots of support available to help you settle into university life and make the most of your time here. Below is some of the support available for care leavers:
- Designated Welfare Officer to act as a key contact at pre-entry and throughout the duration of your course.
- VIP 1-2-1 welcome throughout the academic year.
- Easy access to an experienced Student Funding Officer to advise on funding available, assistance with funding applications and support throughout your course.
- Easy referral to a wide range of support services.
If you are a care leaver, please contact the Welfare Adviser for further information or a friendly and informal chat, by emailing welfare.ss@coventry.ac.uk.
Care Leaver Accommodation Scheme
Counselling & Mental Health
All CU Coventry students have access to a Counsellor and Mental Health Adviser to help you cope more positively with any difficulties and succeed in your academic studies.
Bookings
To access our service, please get in touch by email in the first instance. We'll be able to book you an appointment to discuss the support we can offer and any appropriate signposting as necessary.
Face-to-face individual support
We can offer support to those who wish to discuss their issues in person with a trained professional. Sessions can be individually tailored to meet the current needs of the student. This could be concerning issues including but not limited to: depression, anxiety, sleep problems and more severe illness.
Priority appointments
Priority sessions may be available to students as directed by the service manager. The Counselling Service is continually seeking to improve it's range of services and accessibility to all students.
Triage for immediate concerns or referral to more appropriate services
The service can refer you to external support agencies such as your GP or the IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Therapy).
Please note: We do not offer an emergency or crisis service. If you require immediate attention please contact the emergency services or your doctor. If you are registered with the Engleton House GP surgery based in The Hub at Coventry University their number is 024 7659 2012. Alternatively contact the out of hours hospital service. The Samaritans have a 24 hour helpline, their number is 116 123.
If you would like to see a counsellor or therapist sooner than we can offer you, please contact the NHS directly for a self-referral - the NHS provides a support service called IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Therapy). The central booking number for Coventry and Warwickshire is 024 767 1090 or take a look at the IAPT website.
Contact us
If you'd like to book an appointment with our Welfare Adviser or request more information, please email welfare.ss@coventry.ac.uk.
Medical Centre
During your time at CU Coventry you can register with a GP at the Medical Centre. You need to do this as soon as possible to ensure that any medical support you need will be in place at the start of your studies. You don’t need a medical card to register; this will be sorted out for you.
The Medical Centre consists of both male and female doctors, and there are also district nurses, midwives and psychiatric nurses that are available to see you. Students that are registered with a GP at the Hub will also have access to the out-of-hours service on Radford Road surgery on Saturday mornings; or there is a NHS walk in centre on Stoney Stanton Road.
If you have a medical emergency, you should go to Accident and Emergency (A&E) at University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire, Walsgrave or call the emergency services on 999.
The Medical Centre can be contacted at:
TheHub
Jordan Well
Coventry CV1 5QP
talk. +44 (0) 24 7659 2012
see. www.covunigp.co.uk
Spirituality & Faith
The Spirituality and Faith Centre is located on the main campus of the University and is a warm, welcoming environment for all students and staff irrespective of your beliefs. The facilities in the centre include a multi-faith meeting room, chapel, Muslim prayer rooms (with ablution facilities), lounge and a multi-faith library and kitchen.
The centre promotes a safe, harmonious space that welcomes diversity and encourages a wider supportive environment. There are regular organised events and activities, such as retreats, meals, discussions and speakers, celebrating the rich cultural diversity of the University and the city.
The Spirituality and Faith team of chaplains can link students and staff of most faith traditions with local communities, and are happy to answer any questions you may have.
Spirituality & Faith Centre
TheHub (third floor)
Jordan Well
Coventry
CV1 5QP
talk. +44(0) 24 7765 5296
write. faith.ss@coventry.ac.uk
Safety
The compact single-site campus is right in the city centre, not in a remote isolated, out-of-town location. Most University owned or managed accommodation is located within walking distance of our campus and close to the city centre, with easy access to CU Coventry and Coventry University facilities as well as public transport, shops, restaurants, cafes, sports facilities, theatres and cinemas.
To ensure student safety, we have uniformed security staff patrolling campus 24 hours per day. They can respond quickly to any incidents from missing keys to students getting lost. Our security staff can also administer basic first aid and assist with medical emergencies. The whole campus including the university managed accommodation is equipped with CCTV security cameras.
All of the facilities are intended to ensure students learn and live in a safe and secure environment.
University Protection Services
Protection services is a dedicated crime prevention team based on campus, who supply Ultraviolet (UV) marker pens, personal attack alarms and burglar alarm units to students. The team will make special visits to student accommodation houses to give free advice about security, you can contact Protection on 024 7765 7363.
The team has a 24/7 response to incidents on campus or in University-owned accommodation and they staff a campus-wide CCTV surveillance system. If you are concerned about anything on campus call the emergency hotline on 024 7765 8555 (5555 on internal phones).
Police Liaison Officer
A member of West Midlands Police Force works closely with the University’s Protection Service helping to keep students safe on campus. The phone numbers for our Police Liaison Officers are on the West Midlands Police website.
Emergency Contacts
In an emergency on campus or in Coventry University accommodation call 024 7765 8555 to summon the University’s Protection Service.
For emergencies in private accommodation or off-campus call the Police on 999. For other incidents such as thefts call the Police on 0845 113 5000.
Success coaches
Everyone has the potential to succeed, but sometimes you might need a bit of extra support and guidance. That's why, upon referral or request, you can access your own Success Coach who will be there to help you throughout your university journey.
Our Success Coaches bring with them a wealth of experience and industry knowledge. Your allocated Success Coach will work with you to build a personal Success Plan so you have a clear roadmap to achieve your ambitions. Your Success Plan will be tracked and evaluated against our five pillars of student success:
- Managing studies: Your Success Coach will help you to manage your studies so you can stay on the path to success.
- Access to services: If you need additional support at any point in your academic journey, your Success Coach will connect you to the right services and specialist teams.
- Skills development: Your Success Coach can assist you in developing lifelong skills in areas such as resilience, well-being, budgeting, confidence, and problem-solving, referring you to specialist teams if required.
- Experience: Prepare for life after your studies and the transition into the workplace with the support of your Success Coach.
- Peer mentoring: Your Success Coach will help you connect with peer networks to help you settle in and access peer-to-peer support.
Am I eligible?
If you are a new CU Coventry undergraduate or foundation student, you can access a Success Coach through self-referral via our engagement team email or through a member of staff putting in a request on your behalf.
