Welfare and Support

The International Office

The International Office on each campus is the main point of contact for students. The services provided include helping you with the application process, corresponding with you before your arrival in Wales, and looking after you whilst you are at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David.

We offer:

• Advice and guidance on courses and how to apply
• Airport pick-up (at the beginning of the course)
• Intensive orientation programme
• Weekly excursions
• Open office surgery sessions
• Dedicated staff who are there to help make your experience a memorable one
• International office events - Chinese New Year, Thanksgiving dinner, international fair, flag signing party.

The pastoral care of students is central to the work of the International Office. The team of staff is responsible for providing support and guidance for students on a number of issues including practical advice on course choices, finance, visa issues and dealing with homesickness. However, we also offer professional counselling and welfare services, located within the Student Services Department, that are available to all students, and are founded on the principle that no problem is too big or too small to share.

Services for Students

Careers

The Careers Service subscribes to a range of careers databases and networks to ensure that you benefit from having access to the latest information. The Careers team is able to assist you to identify and plan your career by matching your interests and course of study to relevant jobs. The service also includes assistance with writing applications and Curricula Vitae, interview techniques, as well as general careers counselling for individuals and groups. An additional service is the Job Shop which aims to help you find part-time and casual jobs during your time at University. If you wish to work during your time in University, please make sure that you have an appropriate visa.

Part-time work

During your time as a student in the UK you may wish to earn some extra money. Legally you are permitted to work for up to 20 hours per week during the term time if you hold a Tier 4 visa. However, you can work full time during holiday periods. You must not use estimated part-time earnings as evidence that you will be able to support yourself. Any part-time earnings must be extra. Students may be permitted to work for one year after study (additional visas may be required).

Counselling services

The Student Counsellors provide a supportive and non-judgemental environment for students to discuss any matter of concern in confidence and privacy. Students may use the free Counselling Service to talk through a wide range of issues - personal and academic - and no issue is considered to be too small. These may include life events such as bereavement, relationship difficulties, personal problems and transition to University life.

Medical services

You will need to register with a doctor soon after your arrival at University. Do not wait until you are unwell. Treatment for accidents and emergencies is free for everyone when they are in the Accident and Emergency Department of a National Health Service (NHS) hospital.

Childcare

The University has a nursery on each campus.  Both Y Gamfa Wen on the Carmarthen campus and Gwdihws on the Lampeter campus are purpose-built facilities that care for babies and children from birth. Each nursery provides a safe and welcoming environment where children receive the best care and attention,  ample play space, indoors and out, high quality equipment and well qualified staff... all of which combine to provide an enriching experience for children.

Worship Facilities

Each campus offers a chapel and chaplaincy service that is open to those of any or no faith.  The chaplaincy team also offer various excursions and activities that provide opportunities to explore and celebrate the Christian faith, but which again are open to all.

The Lampeter campus also offers a small prayer room for Muslim students.

Helping you to Succeed

The University offers a range of services to help you with in your academic studies.

Study support

At the beginning of your course, you will receive a basic introduction to study skills and information technology. In addition, the Study Support Centre, within the Student Services Team, provides help to students who are experiencing difficulties. Such support includes tackling assignments, essay writing and preparing for examinations.

Personal tutors

Academic staff act as Personal Tutors to support you during your course. The type of pastoral support offered varies according to the most appropriate methods for your particular course. This support aims to ensure that you are given individual attention from your tutors to enable you to speak in private about issues that are specific to your learning.

Information Services

The team is responsible for the management of a range of IT resources that are made available to help you with your studies. You will be provided with your own account which will give you access to the Internet and e-mail, to the University’s e-learning environment and resources, as well as software applications for word processing, spreadsheets, databases and presentations, etc, and specialist applications relevant to your degree programme.

IT facilities are available at various locations across each campus, and there are dedicated rooms with specialist systems for students of primary education and media-related degrees.

Becoming a Student

Entry requirements

We recognise a wide range of international qualifications.  The University will normally accept students who have completed a recognised International Foundation Programme elsewhere, for example those offered by UK Further Education Colleges, Universities and Colleges of HE.

If you are an international student, you will be required to have sufficient command of the English language to enable you to follow your course without linguistic difficulties, for example GCSE pass in English at Grade C or above, Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English, IELTS (Score of 6.0), TOEFL (Score of 550).

Further information is available from the International Office

E-mail: international@trinitysaintdavid.ac.uk

Fees

Cost of living

The cost of living in South West Wales is lower than in many parts of the UK. As a rough guide for international students, the basic living expenses are likely to be between £6000 and £7000 per year.  Please use the international student calculator at http://www.studentcalculator.org.uk/ to work out your individual budget.

The University runs a Money Doctor’s Scheme to help you manage your money whilst at University. Advice is provided on setting and keeping to your budget so that you avoid financial difficulties.

Registering for study upon arrival

When you arrive, you will need to register. You should bring the following:

• Passport
• Visa
• Original qualification certificates (with official translation if not in English)