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Students Wellbeing Support

Student A-Z

Student A-Z

Find out more about the online resources, tools and websites that can provide support and information during your time at the University of Aberdeen.

A - Z Student Help Guide

Find out what services can help provide support and information during your time at University.

ACADEMIC & NON-ACADEMIC ISSUES

  • Issue: Policy, processes and guidelines

APPEALS

ACCOMMODATION

ACADEMIC SKILLS

CAREER PLANNING

CHANGES TO STUDY

  • Issue: Advice on changing programme of study or swapping courses

CHILDCARE

DISABILITIES & MEDICAL CONDITIONS

  • Issue: Advice, information and practical support for students with a disability, impairment, medical or health condition, or a specific learning difference such as dyslexia

DOCUMENTATION FOR SIGNING

  • Issue: Documentation to prove student status

EXAMS/RESITS

  • Issue: Applying for resit exams, late applications, exam timetable query

FINANCIAL

  • Issue: Tuition fees; student loans and council tax exemption; support for repeat funding; false start funding (for those changing degree intention within first year of study). This relates to tuition fees only
  • Issue: Advice on money management and part-time employment

FITNESS & SPORT

ID CARDS

  • Issue: Stolen, lost, not working or collections

ILLNESS

  • Issue: Medical certificates; missed exam due to illness
  • Issue: Advice, information and support for students affected by long term health conditions

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ISSUES

  • Issue: Contact with other international students, English language support

LIBRARY

  • Issue: Academic books and journals (print and online), collaborative, quiet and silent study spaces, copying, printing, scanning

MYCURRICULUM

PAYING FEES

  • Issue: Tuition fees, accommodation fees

PERSONAL

PERSONAL TUTORING

  • Issue: Information about personal tutor system, where to get help, referrals

SAAS

SECURITY

  • Issue: Personal safety matters, lost, found and stolen property
    • Website: Security Control (24 hour), 9A Dunbar Street
    • Telephone: 01224 273327 (non-emergency) or 01224 273939 (emergency)

SOCIETIES

SPECIFIC LEARNING DIFFERENCES

STUDY ABROAD

STUDENT DOCUMENTATION

  • Issue: Student certificates, student record cards

STUDY SUPPORT

TIMETABLES

  • Issue: Teaching or exam timetable enquiries

THESIS SUBMISSION

STUDENT VISA STUDENTS

TRANSCRIPTS

UNIVERSITY REGULATIONS AND POLICIES

  • Issues: Part-time study; student progress; repeating a year; changes to degree intention (eg MA to BSc); withdrawal; readmission; other options for study

VOLUNTEERING

WORK EXPERIENCE/ PLACEMENTS

Disability, Inclusion, Teaching and Assessment

Note that unless otherwise stated, the term timed assessment includes exams and tests.
 

How will I be able to access the materials for my lectures?

You will be able to access materials such as a video recording of the lecture, PowerPoint slides and/or other notes, on your Virtual Learning Environment (MyAberdeen or for Medical and Dental students MyMBChB, MyBDS or MyPA).

Captions should be available for pre-recorded video content (in Panopto on the CC icon). Where captions are not available for pre-recorded video content, accessible alternative materials will be provided.  If you are having difficulty accessing the lecture materials, please contact the course coordinator.

You can create a transcript of a video that already has captions by copying the text into a Word document. See our guide for full instructions.

Some videos can be downloaded for viewing offline.  If you choose to download the video, you can view video captions on either QuickTime or VLC Player (you can download and install VLC Player from www.videolan.org). Download the MP4 video file from Panopto, open the video file in QuickTime or VLC player and enable subtitles from the Subtitles menu. 

Visual content such as diagrams should be accompanied with a text description of the information contained in the diagram. Where this is not available, please contact the course coordinator so that they can ensure this text description is made available.

If you require support to take effective notes in lectures for disability-related reasons please contact the Student Advice & Support Team at student.support@abdn.ac.uk.
How will I be supported in accessing reading materials?

Course coordinators have worked closely with the library staff to make the appropriate reading materials available on your virtual learning environment (MyAberdeen, or for Medical and Dental students MyMBChB, MyBDS or MyPA) in a timely and accessible format.
I have provision for extra time for completing timed assessments, what does this mean?

If you a timed assessment (e.g., an online test or an exam) which has a fixed time duration, such as 2 hours, you will receive the amount of extra time detailed in your provisions.

In some cases, timed assessments have been replaced with other forms of assessment. For example, you may have an open-book assessment which would usually be available for completion over a period of a minimum of 48 hours (even if it is expected it will take around, say, 3 hours to complete the assessment). In these assessment situations, the extended period for completion is provided as an inclusive measure, as this provides the greatest flexibility for all students for planning and time allocation, irrespective of their circumstances (e.g., caring responsibilities, short-term illness, time zones, internet access, learning differences, protected characteristics). No additional time will be provided for students who would otherwise receive it.

Course coordinators will provide you with information about how you will be assessed, and they can be contacted for further information on the assessment process.
I have more than one assessment for completion wholly or partly within the same period and I usually get extra time for timed assessments. Will I get more time?

No. The time periods allowed for all assessments should allow you to plan your time and complete your assessments.  It is important that you look at your assessment schedule and plan your time to manage any busy periods.
I have a timed assessment and the period for completion has been doubled to make it inclusive. If I have provision for extra time for timed assessments, would I have additional extra time?

There will only be additional extra time for students who have provision for 100% extra time. These students will receive an additional 30 minutes per hour of the original timed assessment period for completion.

Note that this applies only to short, timed assessments, which in this context means assessments with an original (un-extended) period for completion of 2 hours or less.

Note also that if the period has been extended by less than double, then students who have extra time for timed assessments should receive the relevant extra time allocation; this will be calculated based on the original (un-extended) period for completion.
I have provision for a scribe in timed assessments, how will this work?

If the timed assessment is held on campus, a scribe will be arranged from a pool of trained staff.

If the timed assessment is online you may be offered the opportunity to submit your answers verbally using Panopto or the ‘dictate’ function in Microsoft Office 365. Students who work in this way will not be penalised for poor punctuation and/or grammar (commas, semicolons, full stops etc. will be required to be dictated) if the meaning is clear. If you have access to voice recognition software, you may be able to use this to produce your answer if you are sitting the timed assessment online.
I receive the provision of a reader, how will this work?

If you have a timed assessment (e.g., an exam) on campus, a reader will be arranged from a pool of trained staff.

If you are undertaking your timed assessment online, your School will contact you to discuss your individual support arrangements.  You may work with a member of staff employed as a reader.  When undertaking timed assessments online, papers will be accessible i.e. you will be able to adjust the type of font, font size and line spacing.  When the papers are provided online in a Microsoft Word document, you will be able to use ‘Text to Speech’ functions built into Word. If the online timed assessment paper is in the form of a PDF document and you have text to speech software, please use this. On a Windows computer you can open many PDF files in the latest version of Microsoft Word to use the ‘Text to Speech’ function, and view text in a format that suits your needs. Please note this works best with files that are mostly text based; graphics and images may not convert properly and may stop the file opening from Word completely.

For some timed online assessments, alternative formats will be available on MyAberdeen, for you to download.

If you need any advice with regards to using text to speech software and/or how to access this, please email atech@abdn.ac.uk. If technology cannot be used to read the online assessments (e.g., the paper may include graphs), the School will explore alternative arrangements with you.
What options are available if I am experiencing financial hardship

Information on Money Matters
Can you tell me a bit more? I am worried about the whole assessment process.

Your School or course coordinator will be able to provide you with more information on the assessment process, timing, the marking criteria, and their expectations. For example, there may be a word limit for the course in question to help guide you as to how much you should be doing, or guidance on the expected completion time for an open book assessment that is available for 48 hours.
I have the provision of ‘agreed extensions to deadlines’, what does this mean and how does this work?

If you need more time for coursework, such as assignments, reports, or essays, please request this by contacting the relevant School Office.

You shouldn’t need to provide evidence each time you request an extension; please advise the School Office that the Student Advice & Support Team has implemented the provision of ‘agreed extensions to deadlines’ to support you in your studies.

It is at the Schools’ discretion as to whether extensions can be granted and if so, the length of extension that can be offered. The provision does not guarantee a set time for extensions; it is advised that extension requests are approved where practically possible for the Schools to administer. Extension requests can only be considered for coursework, not for timed assessments.  
I am unwell, or I have experienced extenuating circumstances which have affected my performance in an assessment or have led me to miss an assessment, what should I do?

If you feel that your performance in an assessment has been affected by extenuating circumstances, or you have been unable to complete an assessment, you should report this through the Absence Reporting system and make your course coordinator aware.

Note that this will not lead to an adjustment of individual marks and the relevant Codes of Practice for Assessment will apply.
I have disability support provisions however I am concerned about completing my studies and I do not think that the information provided so far addresses my situation.

Please contact the Student Advice & Support Team at student.support@abdn.ac.uk to discuss your circumstances.
I am concerned about completing my assessments and I think I would benefit from additional support.

Please contact the Student Advice & Support Team at student.support@abdn.ac.uk to discuss your circumstances.
Student Essential Contacts

Aberdeen Sports Village
e: info@aberdeensportsvillage.com 
w: aberdeensportsvillage.com

AUSA – Students’ Association
e: ausa@abdn.ac.uk
w: ausa.org.uk

Accommodation Office
t: +44 (0)1224 273502 - ext 3502
e: studentaccomm@abdn.ac.uk 
w: abdn.ac.uk/accommodation

Accommodation - Student Resident Assistants
t: 01224 274013 (office hours)
t: 01224 274030 (6pm-6am)
Call, text or FaceTime: 07813529679
e: residentassistants@abdn.ac.uk

Accommodation - Hillhead Student Village
t: +44 (0)1224 274000 

Careers and Employability Service
e: careers@abdn.ac.uk
w: abdn.ac.uk/careers

Counselling Service
e: counselling@abdn.ac.uk 
w: abdn.ac.uk/counselling

Credit Control
e: creditctr@abdn.ac.uk

Go Abroad
e: erasmus@abdn.ac.uk 
w: abdn.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/study-abroad-and-exchanges.php

Infohub
e: infohub@abdn.ac.uk
w: abdn.ac.uk/students/student-life/infohub-3010.php

International Centre
e: internationalcentre@abdn.ac.uk 
t: +44 (0) 1224 274277
w: abdn.ac.uk/international-centre

International Student Advisers
e: student.international@abdn.ac.uk 
w: abdn.ac.uk/students/support/immigration-and-tier-4-3397.php

IT Services Help Desk
e: servicedesk@abdn.ac.uk
t: +44 (0) 1224 273636
w: abdn.ac.uk/it/student/help

Language Centre
e: lc-enquiries@abdn.ac.uk
w: abdn.ac.uk/study/international/language-centre.php

Library
e: library@abdn.ac.uk
w: abdn.ac.uk/library

MyCurriculum Support
w: https://www.abdn.ac.uk/support-enquiries/help-with/mycurriculum

Multi-Faith Chaplaincy
e: chaplaincy@abdn.ac.uk
w: abdn.ac.uk/chaplaincy

Personal Tutoring / Pastoral Support and Guidance
e: infohub@abdn.ac.uk
w: abdn.ac.uk/students/support/personal-tutors-3584.php

Postgraduate Research School
e: pgrs@abdn.ac.uk
w: abdn.ac.uk/pgrs

Rocking Horse Nursery
e: rockinghorsenursery@abdn.ac.uk
w: abdn.ac.uk/rockinghorse

Student Learning Service
e: sls@abdn.ac.uk
w: abdn.ac.uk/sls

Student Support Services

t: +44 (0)1224 273935 - ext 3935
w: www.abdn.ac.uk/student-support

Tuition Fees
e: tuitionfees@abdn.ac.uk
w: abdn.ac.uk/students/finance/tuition-fees.php

Postgraduate Registry
e: postgraduate@abdn.ac.uk
w: abdn.ac.uk/students/support/study-resources-support.php#panel3582

Undergraduate Registry
e: undergraduate@abdn.ac.uk
w: abdn.ac.uk/students/support/study-resources-support.php#panel3581

University Switchboard
t: +44 (0) 1224 272000

University Security (24 Hours)
e: securitycontrrol@abdn.ac.uk
t: +44 (0) 1224 273939 (Emergency)
t: +44 (0) 1224 273327 (Non Emergency)

General University information
Courses
Exams and resits
Support
Sports, societies and student engagement
Employability, volunteering and jobs
Library and IT
Outside of University
General websites