6. Learning: Support Services for Students
6.1 Student Services
6.2 CAPOD
6.3 Library
6.4 IT Services
6.5 English Language Teaching
6.6 Extension Language Programmes
6.7 Careers Centre
Overview
Students are attracted to St Andrews because of its outstanding reputation for research and scholarship and excellence in learning and teaching. It is the University's intention that students are encouraged to develop as independent learners, that confidence is fostered, and ambition and competencies stretched progressively during the course of their degree programme. It is important that students develop the ability to have critical awareness of both strengths and weaknesses in their academic and personal skills, as well as taking responsibility for their own career development. Although the responsibility for this lies ultimately with the individual student, the University recognises that this is a developmental process that requires support and guidance from academic staff (including part-time tutors, many of whom are themselves postgraduate students), as well as a range of highly committed and skilled support staff.
To this end the University has a range of support units that provide support directly (e.g. study skills support - CAPOD) and indirectly (e.g. counselling and support - Student Services). The student body is international and those who require specialist support for English language are able to access the English Language Teaching Centre. Since the University community at St Andrews is integrated with a relatively small indigenous community (approximately 15,000 residents), students rely heavily on the University's residential network for peer support and support from Residence Wardens. In addition, the Students' Association provides social events and opportunities to join a wide range of societies and sports clubs.
All students have unlimited access to the Careers Centre and may participate in a non-credit bearing programme of events, supported by external employers, to develop their employability skills and to gain a "Certificate in Career Development".
Further information about support for the whole student learning experience in St Andrews can be found below.
6.1 Student Services
The University offers an extensive range of support to ensure that, on both an academic and personal level, your experience as an undergraduate is successful and fulfilling. Student Services plays a key role in providing this support.
A one-stop-shop for students has been established so you only need to access one easy route and an appropriately qualified member of Student Services will arrange the relevant help for you at that stage. This service is made up of a team of advisers, counsellors and administrators who are there to assist you on any issue which may be affecting your studies.
Support is provided in a range of areas such as:
- Money
- Academic concerns
- Health problems
- Disability
- Immigration
- Personal and emotional
- Childcare
- Mental Health
- Legal Advice
You can get in touch with Student Services at the Advice and Support Centre- the ASC- by emailing: asc@st-andrews.ac.uk, or calling 462720 or in person at 79 North Street.
6.2. CAPOD
CAPOD is the University's Centre for Academic, Professional & Organisational Development. Support for student learning is provided via:
- Professional Skills Curriculum, developed in collaboration with the Students' Association
- Study skills courses on a wide range of topics
- One-to-one and group sessions with the Academic Skills Consultant
- Accredited Academic Skills modules
- Study skills resources on the CAPOD website
- One-to-one and group sessions at the Mathematics Support Centre
- Courses for postgraduate and part-time tutors, e.g. Introduction to Tutoring and Assessment
- Coordination of the part-time Evening Degree Programme
6.3 Library
The Library at St Andrews dates back to the early 17th Century and over the years has collected over one million volumes to support teaching, learning and research. Although still retaining excellent print-based collections, the focus of collecting activity has switched to electronic books, journals and databases to enable easier internet access to these resources. Library staff are available to assist students with information searching. The Library also holds extensive and rich Special Collections which include manuscripts, photographs and early printed books.
6.4 IT Services
IT Services are here to provide computing help and support to all students and to provide access to a wide range of online resources. iSaint: the student web portal that gives access to SaintMail and Google Calendars, along with exam timetables, available PCs in classrooms, library book due dates, University news, plus much more. Moodle: a virtual learning environment where students can gain access to learning resources, such as lecture notes, presentations and module-related web links. Wifi: coverage across more than 95% of University buildings. UniPrint: secure student print/copy/scan facilities in over 60 locations across the University. PC Classrooms/Fixed PCs: over 1,000 fixed computers across the University, with many available 24 hours-a-day. Our IT Service Desk is located in the University Main Library.
6.5 English Language Teaching
English Language Teaching (ELT) offers extensive English language provision for international students at the University. As well as credit-bearing 1000 and 2000 modules in English language, English for Academic Purposes and Linguistics, and year-long programmes for foundation and pre-masters students, there are pre-sessional courses of varying lengths which provide orientation for international students, focusing on acculturation and academic skills, and English for academic study and social survival. Some pre-sessional courses are School-specific.
ELT is also the home of the In-sessional English Language Support Service (IELSS), open to all matriculated students who are users of English as an additional language, and who would like support with any aspect of their English language or study skills.
Students may book individual appointments for a one-to-one tutorial with our IELSS tutors, can attend workshops or can practise their language skills with online learning resources. Learn more at In-sessional . Enrol on the IELSS moodle site for the latest information about IELSS and for access to language competence diagnostic tools: https://moody.st-andrews.ac.uk/moodle/course/view.php?id=241
ELT also offers short, intensive, introductory teacher training courses which are particularly useful for students who are planning to spend a year abroad as part of a degree in modern languages. They are, of course, also useful for students considering a career in teaching.
Contact us:
ELT telephone: (01334) (46)2255
Fax: (01334) (46)2270
Email: elt@st-andrews.ac.uk
IELSS telephone: (01334) (46)1785
Fax: (01334) (46)2270
Email : eltsupport@st-andrews.ac.uk
6.6 Extension Language Programmes
Extension Language Programmes offers evening classes in modern languages at various levels (including complete beginner). The languages offered at present are: Arabic, Chinese, French, Gaelic, German, Italian, Japanese, Russian and Spanish. Courses are open to staff, students and the general public.
6.7 Careers Centre
The Careers aims to provide careers information, guidance, events and networks of the highest quality so as to help current students and recent graduates of St Andrews identify and achieve what they want to do next.