Student support
We are very committed to providing you with the support you need to achieve a successful student life at West Dean. This page contains information around support services available at our Sussex and London Campuses.
Student wellbeing
We understand that your mental health and wellbeing are very important to your success. The Student Welfare department offer guidance and support on matters relating to your welfare, wellbeing and student experience. The Welfare department can guide you through processes, offer confidential support and advice and signpost you to internal (i.e. Counselling, Study Support, Registry) or external support services.
We encourage you to get in touch with Student Welfare if you have any issues, concerns or queries about anything affecting your studies or student experience throughout the year. If you aren’t sure who to contact about something – the Student Welfare department are a good starting point. They will be able to help you or direct you to someone who can.
You can contact the Student Welfare department on [email protected]
Counselling
We provide free counselling sessions for Diploma and Degree students to support your mental health and wellbeing. Counselling is a confidential space to explore your thoughts and feelings, talk about any difficulties you may be facing, and potentially make changes in your life. In the past, students have used the Counselling services for a variety of reasons, and no issue is too small.
Appointments are available two days per week, on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Afternoon and early evening sessions are available to accommodate your timetables.
You will receive the Counsellor’s contact information at induction.
Support for students with a disability and medical conditions
Letting us know if you have a disability and/or long-standing medical condition, including mental health conditions and specific learning differences (i.e. dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD), enables us to understand your needs to offer reasonable adjustments and personalised support throughout your studies at West Dean.
The Student Welfare team act as a point of liaison between you and your academic department to inform them of your additional needs and agree a Learning Support Plan (LSP). Depending on your disability and/or condition and recommendations, some examples of reasonable adjustments and support may include:
- Extensions to deadlines of up to 7 calendar days on summative assessment
- In advance access to course and lecture materials
- Permission to record internal lectures and seminars
- Alternative forms of assessment
- Modifications to teaching spaces
- Additional academic support through the Study Skills service
- Mental wellbeing support through the Counselling service
- Reasonable considerations
There are opportunities for you to declare your disability and/or condition on enrolment at the College. Doing this allows us to put in place any support or reasonable adjustments as early as possible to reduce stress and ensure you can focus on your studies and student life.
If you receive a diagnosis for a disability and/or condition during your studies, you can declare this to us at any time.
You will be invited to meet with the Student Welfare Team to discuss your support requirements and put together a Learning Support Plan (LSP). The College also asks that you provide us with supporting documentation.
Supporting documentation
For specific learning differences (SpLDs), ADHD/ADD, or Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) - you should provide us with a report from an educational psychologist, psychiatrist or specialist teacher with an Assessment Practicing Certificate (APC), confirming diagnosis and recommendations.
Evidence for physical or mental health conditions should be in the form of a letter or report from a medical practitioner (i.e. a GP, consultant or psychiatrist), signed and dated within the last 12 months.
Should you have any questions regarding support for a disability or health condition, you can contact the Student Welfare team [email protected]
Study skills
Study Skills support is available for all our students during term time. This support is optional and comprises bookable one-to-one 30-minute sessions.
The sessions can provide individual support in the following areas:
- Time management and organisation
- Effective reading and note-taking: planning your reading; formats for note taking and organisation
- Effective writing skills: the writing process; structure and organisation; academic style; clarity; cohesion; types of documents (essays; reports; artists’ statements; journals; dissertations); proof-reading and editing
- Feedback on your written work
- Effective presentations: organisation and structure; preparing slides; presentation skills
- English language support for international students
Students may attend sessions on a regular basis or from time to time when specific support is required.
Students will also have opportunities to attend optional group presentations or workshops on aspects of Study Skills during the course of the year.
You will receive the Study Skills Tutor’s contact information at induction.
Registry office
Our registry office is open on our Sussex and London Campuses Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 1.30pm to help with students' academic queries.
Security
The Student Welcome team are available for general day-to-day queries about campus and estate facilities, as well as for any emergencies or general enquiries.
Sussex campus
Located at the front of the main house on the Sussex Campus, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
London campus
Located at the front entrance of the London Campus, available Monday-Saturday 08.30-21.30 and Sunday 08.30-18.00.
Student Life
Whether you’re based at our Sussex campus or London campus, you’ll find plenty of things to do…
Accommodation
Wherever you choose to live whilst studying with us, we want to make sure you have the best experience possible. Discover accommodation options at our Sussex Campus and London Campus.
Admissions
Learn about our admissions process with tips on submitting your application, accommodation costs and term dates.
