Learning and academic support

A personal academic tutor

As well as access to subject experts such as professors and researchers on your course, you'll get a personal academic tutor.

Your tutor gives you academic support throughout your time here. If it's your first time at uni, they'll help you make the transition from school or college.

If necessary, they'll signpost you to academic and personal support services. They can support you with everything from writing essays, to dealing with homesickness, thinking about your future career plans, accessing funding and choosing your optional modules.

You might meet your tutor face-to-face or virtually, including a mix of individual and group sessions. They're also available between sessions if you have urgent issues or concerns.

You'll find out their availability and how to contact them during the first few weeks of your course.

A student success adviser

As well as a personal academic tutor, you'll also have access to a student success adviser when you study with us. 

These advisors are there to support your success throughout your time at university, offering help and advice when it comes to managing personal circumstances or difficulties that might affect your studies. 

You don't have to meet with your student success adviser at any point during your course, but they will be there if ever you need pastoral support, and they can help you access other forms of support if need be.

Your advisers will provide a friendly, confidential and non-judgemental service, helping you stay engaged with your studies and connected to the support available across the university.

Library support

To help you make the most of our library resources, you can get support from Library staff in person or by email, phone or online chat.

For instance, if the book you want is not in stock, it may be requested via the Interlibrary Loans Service. You can also ask for one-to-one appointments and get support from a librarian who specialises in your subject area.

You can also get information on topics such as referencing, reading lists and booking study rooms on the Library website.

The Library is open 24 hours a day, every day, in term time. You can find more detailed information on the Library opening hours page.

Laboratory support

Qualified laboratory support staff work in most of our labs and practical spaces.

They'll support you in scheduled lab sessions and can give you one-to-one help during practical research projects.

Maths help

Struggling with a maths-related problem? Need a little help with stats? Want to improve your mathematics skills?

Whatever your area of study or level of maths knowledge, the Maths Café provides free advice and maths help in an informal environment. Come to our daily drop-in sessions, develop your maths skills at a workshop or use our online resources.

IT and computing help

Not a tech boffin? Don't worry – you can get help with all your computer issues face-to-face at the IT help centre in the Library, and by phone, email and online chat.

If you're studying late or over the weekend, you can get IT help 24 hours a day, every day of the week with our out-of-hours service.

You also have access to:

• Free Wi-Fi across all University buildings
• Laptops on short-term loan
• Computer suites with the latest specialised software and equipment
• Free Microsoft Office 365 download on your own devices and access to other essential software and apps such as Adobe Creative Cloud
• Open access areas, printing facilities and group working areas

Disability advice and support

If you have a disability, medical condition or learning difference such as dyslexia, you can get confidential advice and guidance from Disability Advice.

Services you can use include:

• Confidential advice from disability professionals
• Guidance on disability-related support costs and funding, including Disabled Students' Allowance
• Discussion on reasonable adjustments (e.g. exam arrangements)
• Referral to health professionals for diagnosis or obtaining diagnostic evidence
• Specialist study skills tuition
• Assistive technology tuition and guidance
• Liaison with external services and support (e.g. Autism Hampshire and Clear Links)

You can get support and guidance from Disability Advice before you apply and during your studies.

Contact them any time, by email on [email protected] or by calling +44 (0)23 9284 3462.

LinkedIn Learning

You'll also get access to LinkedIn Learning – an online library of more than 15,000 courses, covering hundreds of skill areas. You can use it to develop your study skills and learn transferable skills to enhance your CV.

LinkedIn Learning usually costs £15–25 a month but it's free for all our students and staff.

Some of the most popular courses include Excel Essentials, Programming and Coding, Project Management, Data Analysis Software, Virtual Design Software, and Critical Thinking.