Student Support

The Academic Writing Service (AWS) is part of the Library and Learning Services at CU Coventry and is dedicated to guiding and assisting you with academic writing and assignments through in-person and online workshops and 1-2-1 appointments. This guidance can be for either when you are finding it difficult at the beginning of your course or when you want to develop and achieve the grades you want in years two and three. 

Since 2015, the AWS has been embraced by CU Coventry students and has continually grown in popularity, developing close working relationships with students throughout their time studying at CUC. This is because AWS tutors are experienced in the field of academic writing and are trusted by students. It is also because the service is student focused, meaning that students are listened to and their needs are assessed and responded to by tutors. 

The AWS can help you in a number of ways. These include: 

• Analysing and understanding assignments
• Improving critical thinking and writing
• Writing in an academic style
• Organising and structuring assignments
• Referencing and citing sources

For more information, including subject-specific resources, guides for different types of assignment, annotated examples and even staff resources, you can visit their dedicated LibGuides page.

Booking an appointment

Appointments with the AWS can take place either in-person or online, on a 1-2-1 basis or in small groups.

To contact the AWS, either to book an appointment or to ask a question, you can email them at learningservices.cuc@coventry.ac.uk.

For more information on the booking process, please also visit our LibGuides page.

Maths support provision

Our experienced academic and technical staff provide individual or group support for all students studying engineering and digital courses. In addition, engineering and digital technology students at CU Coventry have an opportunity to obtain mathematics support from our dedicated engineering maths support tutor and sigma colleagues. CU Coventry offers on-site support at agreed times and all students studying across CU campuses have access to in-person and online mathematics and statistics support from sigma. In-person support can be accessed in the Lanchester Library and online support is available on a regular timetable or can be arranged individually by contacting sigma_staff@coventry.ac.uk. The sigma website contains a collection of freely available maths and stats learning resources.

The Student Wellbeing team provide professional support to all students at CU Coventry. We have a dedicated team of Wellbeing and Disability officers who can offer support by providing a broad range of advice and guidance on personal, practical and emotional issues.

By working closely with Academic and Professional staff, as well as external agencies, we can signpost and refer students to other services who can also offer support. .

The Student Minds website provides some helpful information in preparing students for the transition into university.

Year-round 24/7 wellbeing support

In 2023, CU Coventry launched the new easy-access emotional and mental health support platform, Spectrum.Life. Spectrum.Life is a confidential listening and support service for all registered students that gives you immediate emotional and mental health support 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It is delivered by an external partner on behalf of our Student Wellbeing team. Students can register for the service at any time.

The service can be used to support with:

• depression, anxiety, stress
• grief and bereavement
• addictions
• relationships
• stress and work-life balance issues
• or any other emotional challenges you might be facing.

Disability support

If you have a disability, learning difficulty or long-term illness, we can offer you different options which could help you during your study experience. This could include individual exam arrangements, reasonable adjustments and more.

We can provide advice and support if you have one or more of the following disabilities, this includes but is not limited to:

• Specific learning difficulties (SpLD), dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, or ADHD
• Autism
• Mobility impairments
• Physical disabilities
• Sensory impairments
• Long-term medical conditions.

Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP)

The aim of a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) is to assist any person who may have difficulty evacuating from a Coventry University Group building or facility in the event of an emergency such as a fire.

If you believe you require a PEEP please contact the Student Wellbeing Team.
E: welfare.ss@coventry.ac.uk.

How to access initial support

So that we can correctly assess the support and reasonable adjustments you may need, contact us to make an initial appointment. You can do this as soon as you have your CU Coventry login. Get in touch via email at welfare.ss@coventry.ac.uk.

Information for applicants

We offer telephone appointments and visits to campus before you enrol so you can familiarise yourself with the campus before you start your studies.

Harassment and incident reporting

If you have experienced or witnessed incidents because of your race, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, faith or any other reason, you can now report it via our new online support service.

Immediate concerns

For immediate concerns: We do not offer an emergency or crisis service. If you require immediate attention please contact the emergency services or your doctor. Alternatively contact the out of hours hospital service. The Samaritans have a 24 hour helpline, their number is 116 123.

All CU Coventry students have access to a Mental Health Adviser to help you cope more positively with any difficulties and succeed in your academic studies.

Bookings

To access our service, please get in touch by email in the first instance. We'll be able to book you an appointment to discuss the support we can offer and any appropriate signposting as necessary. 

Face-to-face individual support

We can offer support to those who wish to discuss their issues in person with a trained professional. Sessions can be individually tailored to meet the current needs of the student. This could be concerning issues including but not limited to: depression, anxiety, sleep problems and more severe illness.

Triage for immediate concerns or referral to more appropriate services

The service can refer you to external support agencies such as your GP or the IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Therapy).

Please note: We do not offer an emergency or crisis service. If you require immediate attention please contact the emergency services or your doctor. If you are registered with the Engleton House GP surgery based in The Hub at Coventry University their number is 024 7659 2012. Alternatively contact the out of hours hospital service. The Samaritans have a 24 hour helpline, their number is 116 123. 

If you would like to see a counsellor or therapist, please contact the NHS directly for a self-referral - the NHS provides a support service called IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Therapy). The central booking number for Coventry and Warwickshire is 024 767 1090 or take a look at the IAPT website.

Contact us

If you'd like to book an appointment with our wellbeing and disability officer or request more information, please email welfare.ss@coventry.ac.uk. 

During your time at CU Coventry you can register with a GP at the Medical Centre. You need to do this as soon as possible to ensure that any medical support you need will be in place at the start of your studies. You don’t need a medical card to register; this will be sorted out for you.

The Medical Centre consists of both male and female doctors, and there are also district nurses, midwives and psychiatric nurses that are available to see you. Students that are registered with a GP at the Hub will also have access to the out-of-hours service on Radford Road surgery on Saturday mornings; or there is a NHS walk in centre on Stoney Stanton Road.

If you have a medical emergency, you should go to Accident and Emergency (A&E) at University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire, Walsgrave or call the emergency services on 999.

The Medical Centre can be contacted at:

TheHub
Jordan Well
Coventry CV1 5QP
talk. +44 (0) 24 7659 2012
see. www.covunigp.co.uk

The Spirituality and Faith Centre is located on the main campus of the University and is a warm, welcoming environment for all students and staff irrespective of your beliefs. The facilities in the centre include a multi-faith meeting room, chapel, Muslim prayer rooms (with ablution facilities), lounge and a multi-faith library and kitchen.

The centre promotes a safe, harmonious space that welcomes diversity and encourages a wider supportive environment. There are regular organised events and activities, such as retreats, meals, discussions and speakers, celebrating the rich cultural diversity of the University and the city.

Spirituality and Faith Centre
TheHub (third floor)
Jordan Well
Coventry
CV1 5QP
talk. +44(0) 24 7765 5296
write. faith.ss@coventry.ac.uk

The compact single-site campus is right in the city centre, not in a remote isolated, out-of-town location. Most University owned or managed accommodation is located within walking distance of our campus and close to the city centre, with easy access to CU Coventry and Coventry University facilities as well as public transport, shops, restaurants, cafes, sports facilities, theatres and cinemas.

To ensure student safety, we have uniformed security staff patrolling campus 24 hours per day. They can respond quickly to any incidents from missing keys to students getting lost. Our security staff can also administer basic first aid and assist with medical emergencies. The whole campus including the university managed accommodation is equipped with CCTV security cameras.

All of the facilities are intended to ensure students learn and live in a safe and secure environment.

University Protection Services

Protection services is a dedicated crime prevention team based on campus, who supply Ultraviolet (UV) marker pens, personal attack alarms and burglar alarm units to students. The team will make special visits to student accommodation houses to give free advice about security, you can contact Protection on 024 7765 7363.

The team has a 24/7 response to incidents on campus or in University-owned accommodation and they staff a campus-wide CCTV surveillance system. If you are concerned about anything on campus call the emergency hotline on 024 7765 8555 (5555 on internal phones).

Police Liaison Officer

A member of West Midlands Police Force works closely with the University’s Protection Service helping to keep students safe on campus. The phone numbers for our Police Liaison Officers are on the West Midlands Police website.

Emergency Contacts

In an emergency on campus or in Coventry University accommodation call 024 7765 8555 to summon the University’s Protection Service.

For emergencies in private accommodation or off-campus call the Police on 999. For other incidents such as thefts call the Police on 0845 113 5000.

Everyone has the potential to succeed, but sometimes you might need a bit of extra support and guidance. That's why, upon referral or request, you can access your own Success Coach who will be there to help you throughout your university journey.

Our Success Coaches bring with them a wealth of experience and industry knowledge. Your allocated Success Coach will work with you to build a personal Success Plan so you have a clear roadmap to achieve your ambitions. Your Success Plan will be tracked and evaluated against our five pillars of student success:

1. Managing studies: Your Success Coach will help you to manage your studies so you can stay on the path to success.
2. Access to services: If you need additional support at any point in your academic journey, your Success Coach will connect you to the right services and specialist teams.
3. Skills development: Your Success Coach can assist you in developing lifelong skills in areas such as resilience, well-being, budgeting, confidence, and problem-solving, referring you to specialist teams if required.
4. Experience: Prepare for life after your studies and the transition into the workplace with the support of your Success Coach.
5. Peer mentoring: Your Success Coach will help you connect with peer networks to help you settle in and access peer-to-peer support.

Am I eligible?

If you are a new CU Coventry undergraduate or foundation student, you can access a Success Coach through self-referral via our engagement team email or through a member of staff putting in a request on your behalf.