Students with Specific Support Needs

As a University, we are committed to supporting all of our students, and we recognise that the student experience will vary greatly for each of you. We have a team of Student Support Advisers who are available to discuss your individual circumstances, and work with you to ensure that you have all of the necessary and relevant support in place to ensure you can make the most of your studies and have a great experience too.

If you would like to discuss your personal circumstances in confidence, and find out about the support we can offer, please make an appointment by emailing student.support@abdn.ac.uk. We can provide advice and support about University processes and help to ensure that you have practical, study-related, support in place when you need it. We can also provide information about the financial assistance available to you, and provide details about other support services within and out with the University.

To discuss anything related to career development or developing your wider employability, please contact Janice Montgomery who can explore your options with you. The Careers and Employability Service are here to help with sourcing placements, part- time work, CV creation, interview preparation, developing skills and finding employers.

Carer

You can find further information regarding the support we provide by contacting our Student Support team.

Care Experienced

For details of the support which can be provided, please contact Student Support

Educational Maintenance Allowance

For details of the support which can be provided, please contact Student Support

Estranged

Stand Alone offers support and information for people that are estranged.

For details of the support which can be provided, please contact Student Support

In this vlog current student, Samuel Munyeza, shares his experience of coming to university as an estranged student, discussing the obstacles he had to overcome and the support available to him.

First Generation Students

Being the first person in your family to attend university can provide some extra challenges when you do not have someone in your immediate social network who can offer guidance. In this video, Dr Samantha May, extends a warm welcome to first generation students and offers some great advice on how to get involved in university life and the support services that are there to help you throughout your academic career at UoA.

Free School Meals recipient

For details of the support which can be provided, please contact Student Support

Gypsy, Roma, Traveller

For details of the support which can be provided, please contact Student Support

Low progression schools

For details of the support which can be provided, please contact Student Support

Parents in the military

For details of the support which can be provided, please contact Student Support

Parents who have had a custodial sentence

For details of the support which can be provided, please contact Student Support

Refugee/Asylum Seeker

Refugee Education UK offers toolkits, reports and resources for young refugees and for people who are interested in refugee education.

A former student of University of Aberdeen, Shahid Khan reflects on his own journey to Scotland in this blog, A Refugee's Tale.

For details of the support which can be provided, please contact Student Support

Students with Autistic Spectrum Condition

For details of the support which can be provided, please contact Student Support.

Orientation Programme
Our online Orientation Programme will introduce you to the University and all the different services and departments available to help you settle in and access any support you need.
Autistic Spectrum Condition Guide
Please download and read our Autistic Spectrum Condition Guide.

Students with children

Are you looking after a little one while studying? We are aware of the extra stress that this can put on you, and we have various initiative in place to help you through your studies.

Parent and carers factsheet
Helpful information for parents and carers of students at the University of Aberdeen can also be found in our factsheet. Read Factsheet
Parent’s Network at the University
Parents, parents-to-be and carers who work or study at the University are invited to join the University of Aberdeen Parents and Carers Network. The group is open to ALL staff and students with caring responsibilities and was set up as a way to connect with others to share experiences, ideas and provide support in the University community. Information, support and advice for parents, parents-to-be and carers who work or study at the University of Aberdeen Our online chats and meetings via Facebook and Teams (Parents and Carers Network) provide a supportive setting where members can share parenting stories, doubts and tips, and discuss any topics, from the impact of Covid for us to going part-time, self-care, returning to studies after maternity or paternity leave, life/work boundaries, you name it. One-to-one mentoring around parenting issues is also on offer. Members can also browse the resources, files and links uploaded in this group which provide information to help navigate the challenges around parenting while working or studying at the University. The network is also one of the University’s Equality Networks, and as such reports to EDIC (the Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity Committee) and feed back our views on policy. For more information find us on Facebook or look for ‘Parents and Carers Network’ on Teams.
Childcare Fund
The Childcare Fund provides assistance with the formal childcare expenses for dependant children. Formal childcare includes registered childminders, after-school clubs, and providers of day care and education. For further information on how to apply please visit the Childcare Fund webpage.
Parental Spaces
Where can you take your child on campus? We welcome you and your child to all of the public areas of our campus Baby Changing Facilities Baby changing facilities can be found across our campus. Old Aberdeen Butchart Centre Elphinstone Hall MacRobert Building Sir Duncan Rice Library Students’ Union Building You can find further information on the accessibility of our campus from our Accessible Map. Nursing Facilities and AUSA Parents’ Room We welcome breastfeeding across all public areas of our campuses. If you would prefer a quiet, private area to feed or express you can find a number of first aid rooms throughout both Old Aberdeen and Foresterhill. AUSA offers a Parent’s Room, located in room 007 of the Students’ Union Building. This is a quiet place for student parents or staff parents to feed their child. In the Parent's Room you’ll find highchairs, places to sit and a microwave to heat up food. Old Aberdeen Cruikshank – G14 Edward Wright – G93 Fraser Noble – 068 MacRobert Building – 033 Meston – 037 Sir Duncan Rice Library – 130 University Office – Crush Hall William Guild – G20 Zoology – G03 Foresterhill Institute of Medical Sciences – 1.56 Medical Research Facility – G007 Polwarth – 0.004 Rowett Institute – 2.043 Suttie Centre 117 (First floor)
University Nursery
The University has a nursery on campus – The Rocking Horse Nursery. You can find listings for other childcare providers in the local area on the Aberdeen City Council and Aberdeenshire Council websites. You may also wish to consider using a childminder.

Veteran

For details of the support which can be provided, please contact:

Student Support