Student Association
The Student Association is run by students for students and ensures that the student community has representation at West Dean School of Design. The association also organises events and social activities for students. The Student President oversees the running of the Student Association along with the programme representatives and sub-committees. A Student Forum meeting is held every term and is a chance for students to discuss any concerns and ideas. The meeting is for the programme student representatives and sub-committees. It provides a direct link between students' views and the West Dean’s decision-making processes, and to advise the Director of Education on the strategic direction of student support.
Societies
Students are welcome to set up their own clubs or societies. There must be three students or more involved. A form must be filled out and returned to the Student President. Finance can be granted to fund part of the society on the President's approval. Previous societies have included yoga, Chinese calligraphy, book binding and environmentalism.
Events
Student representatives organise official events including the Christmas party and Graduation party. Previous events have included a fancy dress Halloween party and pumpkin carving competition, Thanksgiving dinner, quiz night and pizza night. Events can include student parties, trips out and open workshops/studios.
Student Support
Study Skills support is available for all our students during term time. These sessions will mostly be on a one-to-one basis so that we will be able to focus on individual areas with which you would like some help. Support includes: general study skills, language support, research and reading and writing skills.
Counselling
We are very committed to providing you with the support you need to achieve a successful student life at West Dean. We understand that your mental health and wellbeing are very important to your success. The Counselling Service at West Dean aims to offer the following:
- Regular, professional and relevant counselling to students.
- Routes to good mental health and wellbeing resources to support the College’s community.
- Meetings with students and staff across the College to establish what is needed from a counselling provision.
- Developing creative, healthy and innovative approaches to counselling that complement our unique and specialist environment.
- Referral and appointments
- Online appointments are available two days per week throughout the year. Currently appointments are held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Afternoon and early evening sessions are available to accommodate your timetables.
Online support
Through an online platform called Togetherall, West Dean students can access additional mental health support 24/7. Togetherall is a safe and anonymous online community where our students can connect with others that have real lived experience for advice and support any time of day or night. You can also complete self-paced courses or explore other helpful wellbeing resources when it suits. Togetherall is a great source of support outside of normal campus hours and means you can get support when other services are closed, including evenings, weekends and public holidays. Togetherall is moderated by trained professionals to help keep you safe.
Accommodation
Students at our London Campus are met with a plethora of accommodation options; whether that be in private halls or flat/house shares. Popular areas for students to live include Islington, Camden, Stratford, Shoreditch, Fitzrovia and Holborn. Consider transport options and the amount of transport changes that you'll have to make on your journey when deciding where to live. Citizens Advice and National Union of Students both offer useful information and advice when it comes to searching for student housing.
Popular student accommodation near campus:
The following websites can be used to search for shared flats, houses and halls in London:
- www.student.spareroom.co.uk
- https://www.rightmove.co.uk/student-accommodation/Bloomsbury.html
- www.padsforstudents.co.uk
- www.accommodationforstudents.com
- www.gumtree.com
- www.flatshare.co.uk
- www.studentpad.co.uk/
- www.studentblock.co.uk/
- www.uniplaces.com/
- www.mystudenthalls.com/
