Helpdesk

As you settle into life at University of Bedfordshire, we understand that as international students, there might be times when you need extra support—whether related to academics, wellbeing, housing, or finances.  At Beds SU, we're committed to ensuring you have access to the right resources to thrive during your time with us. Here's a guide to the key support services available to help you navigate university life. Academic and Attendance Support Taking a Break or Withdrawing from Studies:  Sometimes, you may need to take a break from your studies. If you're considering this or need guidance about withdrawing, email the team at IntStudentExperience@beds.ac.uk Absence Queries:   Unsure about attendance rules or need to report an absence? Contact tracking@beds.ac.uk or international.attendance@beds.ac.uk for help. Mitigation Applications: If personal challenges are affecting your ability to meet deadlines, you can apply for extensions or reas...

Graduation is an exciting milestone, and ensuring you receive your certificate and transcript is essential. Here's all the key information you need about obtaining your graduation documents. Certificates and Transcripts Your transcript is sent separately from your certificate, typically to your registered home address. If you don’t receive it within six months of completing your course, contact the Student Information Desk (SiD) at sid@beds.ac.uk. Interim unit results can be downloaded via e:Vision. If you cannot attend your graduation ceremony, log in to e:Vision to indicate your absence and request that your certificate be posted.   You can email the Graduation Team at graduation@beds.ac.uk, providing your full name, student ID, and delivery address. International students may request DHL delivery for an additional fee. Contact Information Phone: +44 (0)1582 743387 or +44 (0)1582 743826   Email: graduation@beds.ac.uk More Informa...

Writing in English at a university level can be challenging, especially for international students.  Whether you're working on essays, reports, or assignments, improving your basic writing skills is essential for success at the University of Bedfordshire.  Here’s a clear and concise guide to help you enhance your writing abilities: 1. Understand the Assignment Before you begin, read the assignment brief carefully to understand what is required. Pay attention to key terms such as discuss, analyse, compare, and evaluate. Clarify any doubts with your tutor to avoid misunderstandings about the task. 2. Plan Before Writing Organise your ideas by outlining the structure of your writing. A clear plan helps to maintain logical flow and ensures you cover all necessary points. Divide your writing into three sections:      - Introduction: Briefly introduce your topic and outline your main points.      - Main Body: Present your arguments, evi...

As an international student, mastering essential academic skills is key to succeeding in your studies at the University of Bedfordshire.  This guide outlines the most important academic skills you need and provides useful tips and resources to help you thrive in your academic journey. 1. Reading Active reading is crucial for understanding and analysing academic texts. Instead of just skimming through, engage with the material by highlighting key points and making notes. Use techniques like SQ3R (Survey, Question, Read, Recite, Review) to enhance comprehension. Recommended resource: Study Hub Reading Skills 2. Time Management Balancing coursework, assignments, and personal life requires effective time management. Prioritise tasks by creating a study timetable and setting clear goals. Avoid procrastination breaking larger tasks into smaller, manageable steps. Tools like digital calendars or apps such as 'Trello' can help you stay organised. 3...

The university have a specialist team to support students with their mental health during their time at university. The team can offer:  An initial meeting to discuss what support you think may benefit you and your needs  One to one support in supporting and managing your mental health and wellbeing  Helping you identify and develop coping strategies to help when experiencing issues with your mental health  The team can support with advice on Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSA) and advice on how to apply  The team may help by talking with mental health services and GPs/doctors to help with supporting students  Make students aware of other signposting support services that may be useful to help a student    To contact the Mental Health Team or ask more information about the confidential service they offer, please e-mail:  mentalhealth@beds.ac.uk  For more information about the support the team can offer, as well as useful resources to help ...

Managing finances can be sometimes feel like a difficult task for many students, but the Student Money Advice Team at the university can help if you require specialist advice about information and support available if you are experiencing money worries or simply would like to know some more information about financial help that may be available to you.  The team can help with information about: Student funding (grants and loans) Student scholarships and bursaries  The Access to Learning Fund Money management and budgeting advice Postgraduate funding support Care Experienced bursary The team hold regular drop-ins should you wish to talk to someone. Luton campus - students can visit the SID desk on Level 2 of the Campus Centre building on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays (10:00 - 12:00pm). Bedford campus - students can visit the Student Support Office in P Block on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays 10:00 - 12:00pm) Alternatively, if you wish to contact the ...

The university have a dedicated team that can support students with disabilities and specific learning differences so that they can ensure such students are supported to achieve their best whilst studying on their course and getting the most out of their university experience.  The Disability Support Team support students who have or experience:  Long term health conditions; such as diabetes, sickle cell anaemia, epilepsy, cancer, chronic fatigue syndrome (this list is not exhaustive)  Mobility difficulties   Sensory impairments (such as visual or hearing impairments)  Neuro-diverse learning needs; such as Autism/Asperger’s   Other learning differences; such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia   Mental health difficulties    The team can help and support students by providing advice, information and support with:  How to register or disclose your support needs to the university  Telling you more about Disability Support Allowance (DS...

Treehouse is the chaplaincy offered at the University of Bedfordshire; it welcomes people of faith and no faith and promotes an inclusive environment for students to join and support the university’s diverse community.   Offering a safe space, you can go along and explore your faith through the contacts the Treehouse staff have with local faith communities, access prayer and reflections rooms and participate in regular weekly activities, should you choose.  Treehouse offers a safe space for all students of all faiths and to come along, explore your faith, participate in activities or simply come along to a welcoming space to help build friendships and community during your studies to promote social wellbeing.   Treehouse opening hours:  Luton campus- 10:00 – 16:00  Bedford campus- 10:00 – 15:00  Note: Opening hours may change at times. For details about what else Treehouse can offer and facilities at outlying campuses, please check out the university webpage here...

The university has a counselling service available to students, should you ever require the opportunity to talk in confidence with a professional and someone that is not a part of your day-to-day life (e.g. your family, social network and work life).  Counselling is not meant to solve all your issues/difficulties but instead aim to help you find out what resources of support or coping mechanisms you can utilise to help take steps to resolve your difficulties; this may include making life changes or looking at ways to manage your difficulties.  The university’s counselling provision may help with various difficulties you may be experiencing:  Alcohol and Drug Abuse  Anger Management  Anxiety  Bereavement and Loss  Coping with Trauma  Concentration  Depression  Eating Problems  Exam Anxiety  Helping a Friend in a Crisis  Homesickness  Insomnia  Parental divorce  Perfectionism  Phobias  Procrastinati...

The university has a dedicated team that provide information and advice to support students who may be facing and dealing with issues that may be impacting their studies (e.g. attendance on course, ability to submit work and/or progression on course). The university’s Student Engagement Team’s focus centres around helping retain students in their studies by getting the right help for their circumstances.  The Student Engagement Team can help by:  Offering 1-1 appointments to discuss a student’s situation that may be affecting them and advise on the type of support available to help.  Discuss and advise about university processes, such as how to withdraw or interrupt your studies (e.g. take a break or permanently leave).  Discuss options of support for postgraduate research students who may want to suspend their studies or request extension requests.  Be the allocated point of contact for care-experienced students; including providing relevant information and advice,...