Student Success

Our Student Advice and Wellbeing team are here to support you throughout your time at Birmingham Newman, we can

• Explore your mental health and mental wellbeing with you through 1:1 conversations
• Signpost you to external support services that aim to improve your wellbeing
• Connect you with one of our trained Sexual Violence Liaison Officers and provide both practical and emotional support if you have been affected by coercive control, domestic or sexual violence
• Discuss alternate coping strategies for common issues such as low mood or feelings of anxiety
• Advise about the process of applying for Disabled Students Allowance (DSA) for mental health conditions and consideration of reasonable adjustments
• Signpost you to internal university services that aim to help you practically to improve your overall health and wellbeing
• Advise about money matters including budgeting, student finance and welfare benefit entitlements
• Advise you about additional funding which you may be eligible to access if you are experiencing financial hardship
• Provide dedicated support to students who are care experienced or estranged from their families.
• Assist you to access external support for alcohol and substance misuse

General wellbeing queries – to make an appointment to discuss general wellbeing support, email studentsuccess@newman.ac.uk.

Our advisers can support any student with a Disability, Specific Learning Difficulty, (SpLD) or long-term health condition. We also support those who are investigating a potential diagnosis.

Support may include:

• Acting as the first point of contact for queries relating to your Disability, Specific learning Difficulty, or long-term health condition.
• Implementing reasonable adjustments both for your lectures and exams.
• Create learning support plans for individual arrangements, which are then shared with your academics.
• Advice on transitioning through university life as a Disabled Student.
• Advice and guidance on applying for and arranging Disabled Students Allowance (DSA).
• Information about campus accessibility and car parking requirements.
• Creating personal evacuation plans in conjunction with our health and safety team, and facilities.
• Advice on accessibility and reasonable adjustments for placements.

You can contact the team via studentsuccess@newman.ac.uk.

If you suspect that you may have Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Dyscalculia, or your learning is affected by ADHD traits, we may be able to offer a screening, subject to capacity.

Following this screening we can provide guidance on how to obtain a full assessment.

Please note, our screening and assessments are intended to provide a holistic diagnosis for Specific Learning Difficulties. Our ADHD screening is for a non-medical diagnosis, intended only to provide support you with your academic studies.

If you wish to receive a medical diagnosis of ADHD, so that you can access treatment pathways, we will advise visiting your GP in the first instance. 

For general information about SpLD support or screening, please email studentsuccess@newman.ac.uk.

E-Learning provides support to students, tutors and other staff with using E-Learning systems at Birmingham Newman University.

Here are some of the things we can help you with:

• Finding your way around our Virtual Learning Environment (Moodle)
• Submitting to an assignment on Moodle – make sure you contact us in plenty of time before the deadline
• Fixing errors related to any similarity report (Turnitin) created for an assignment you submitted on Moodle
• Creating a digital resource like a video or narrated PowerPoint presentation or fixing tricky things in a Microsoft Word document like sections and page numbering
• Fixing problems with your attendance mobile app on your phone if this is not working (SEAtS). If your attendance has been recorded incorrectly for past lessons, you need to ask the tutor who taught you to resolve this in SEAtS

You can get help from us my emailing us your question or problem. We always try to get back to you as soon as we can and aim to respond to all calls within 24-hours but this may take longer in particularly busy periods like September and October.

For more complicated problems, for example, where you want to make something digital like a video or narrated PowerPoint, you can email us to book an appointment with a member of our team.

Our office hours are:

• 9:00 – 17:00: Monday to Thursday
• 9:00 – 16:30: Friday

Our email address for all enquiries is: elearningservicedesk@newman.ac.uk.

For urgent requests, you can call us on 0121 387 4514.

Any student with a Disability, Specific learning Difficulties, Long term health or Mental health condition may be eligible for additional funding from your funding body to help cover some study related costs.

This funding pays for support to help provide fair access your education.

 DSA can fund a range of support including:

• Specialist equipment such accessible laptop or printer
• Non-medical helpers such as an BSL (British Sign Language) interpreter, study skills tuition or specialist mentoring
• Extra travel costs to help you to attend your course or placement
• Other disability-related study support costs such as funding for printing costs

For more information about DSA and how to apply, we would be having a look at the following websites:

• Calling All Minds – DSA Step-by-Step Guidance
• Disabled Students’ Allowance

We suggest applying as soon as possible, if you need any support, please email studentsupport@newman.ac.uk.

The Learning Development Team are here to help you develop your academic writing and study skills throughout your time as an undergraduate or master’s level student. Below you’ll find an overview of what we offer.

• Online resources that work as self-help guides. 
• 1:1 appointments to discuss your work, your feedback and your academic writing concerns. 
• Email appointments to look at structure, style and analysis. You can send us  500-1000 words from your assignment and we’ll give you some tips and advice on how to improve your academic style.
• Regular workshops on topics like essay structure, critical analysis and academic style.
• 1:1 appointments with Writing Mentors, IT Mentors, Maths Mentors, and Master’s level Writing Mentors.

Get in touch with learningsupport@newman.ac.uk if you have any questions.

If you have physical or sensory impairments or another condition which would make it difficult for you to evacuate in the event of a fire or other emergency, please speak to Rachael Hawkins, Disability and Inclusion Manager, who will help you to complete a questionnaire about your particular requirements.

This information will be passed to the Health and Safety Officer and used to draw up a personal evacuation plan for you.

Contact details

Contact: Rachael Hawkins
Position: Disability and Inclusion Manager
Tel: 0121 476 1181 (Ext. 2421)
Email: r.hawkins@staff.newman.ac.uk

At Birmingham Newman University, everyone – whether you are studying, working or visiting deserves to feel safe and respected.

Harassment in any form is not tolerated. We are committed to maintaining a community where prejudice and inappropriate behaviour have no place.

These pages contain information for students, staff and members of the public about support available to members of the Birmingham Newman community and our approach to tackling a number of types of misconduct – including how to report incidents.

What is a Retrieval Year?

A Retrieval Year is distinct from a Retake Year. It is designed to allow students to “catch up” if they have a significant number of modules not passed.

The purpose of the Retrieval Year is to allow students the opportunity to resit modules already studied without the pressure of additional modules building up; these resits will be split between the October and April submission points.

What has the University introduced it?

It is designed to enable students to take the year to complete their resits where they have a number to complete.  It is also designed to help those students who have already used an extra year of study and would not normally be given further funding to retake the year.

What does it mean for my tuition fees?

Students undertaking a Retrieval Year will not be liable for tuition fees.

Am I entitled to any funding from the Student Loan’s Company?

However it also means students are not entitled to maintenance loans from the Student Loan Company and cannot apply for University hardship funds

Who can give me more finance advice?

Tammy Oyekanmi and other colleagues in Student Support may be able to offer advice on other forms of funding (non-Student Loan funding)

What support can I get during the Retrieval Year?

Students who are required to undertake a Retrieval Year will have access to some University facilities. However, academic support will be limited to that provided by the Academic Support Advisers and the Academic Personal Tutor. Students will also have access to the library and Moodle.

What am I required to do on the Retrieval Year?

Students will be required to complete a Retrieval Plan which will be signed off by their Academic Personal Tutor.  They will also be required to meet with an Academic Support Advisor and Academic Personal Tutor. The number of meetings undertaken will be specified in the Retrieval Plan and will be reviewed at the end of Semester 1 by the Academic Personal Tutor or the Programme Leader. Progress against the Retrieval Plan will be monitored by the Programme Assessment Board, students will need to achieve 35% of the credits for the year at the semester 1 assessment board, 50% at the semester 2 assessment board and 80% by the end of the Retrieval Year.

What if I already have Mitigating Circumstances?

Students are allowed to carry forward existing mitigating circumstances and may apply for mitigating circumstances for assessments being undertaken during the Retrieval Year. However, they will need to have achieved 35% of the credits for the year at the semester 1 assessment board, 50% at the semester 2 assessment board and 80% by the end of the Retrieval Year.

Am I able to still get my DSA funding?

No – as they are not expected to pay tuition fees, they cannot get DSA funding.

What other options are open to me instead of a Retrieval Year?

The student can ask to retake the year instead.  This will however require payment of your tuition fees, and is dependent on thee Student Loans Company agreeing to fund the student.

Can I appeal instead for another outcome?

Yes.  If the student believes there are circumstances that affected their performance, they can submit a review stage appeal using the forms available on the Assessments pages to seek a different decision.  However the University is always careful to consider how much work students are required to undertake and will generally not allow a student to enter the next year of study if they have 60 credits or more to resit as well as their next level of study.

Where can I get further information from?

Students should email the Assessments or the Finance Office.  Their personal academic tutor can also provide advice.

Some aspects of studying at university are very different from school, college or the workplace. This is especially true if you have been out of education for a few years. As a service we can provide you with advice on the general study skills that underpin your chosen degree course.

We offer a range of study skills workshops, as well as one to one appointments with IT Mentors, Writing Mentors, Maths Mentors and Learning Development Tutors. Ask to see the workshops timetable, the availability of our IT Mentors, Maths Mentors and Writing Mentors and one to one appointment times on our Moodle resources page. We also have self-help guides and advice on aspects of study skills that we can direct you to.

The Learning Development Tutors are available to discuss any general study skills queries that you may have, advising and supporting you to help make your time at Birmingham Newman University as enjoyable as possible.

Book an appointment to see a Learning Development Tutor:

• If you have study skills queries at any level of study, for example: grammar, spelling, or time management
• If you want to improve your assignment grades
• If you are concerned about a particular aspect of your studies
• If you want advice on note-taking, essay writing or exam preparation

Also, email Learning Support (see the contact at the bottom of this page) if you would like to book an appointment with an IT, Maths or Writing Mentor (including a Master’s level Writing Mentor). Our mentors are experienced students who help students. They are excellent at offering tips and advice around IT and Writing.

The Learning Development Tutors are available Monday – Thursday 9.00am – 5.00pm, Friday 9.00am-4.30pm and Wednesday until 8.00pm, by appointment and they continue to offer bookable remote support (through Teams, email or telephone) as well as bookable appointments on campus.

Contact details

Learning Development Tutors
Tel: 0121 387 4548 or 0121 387 4454
Email: studentsupport@newman.ac.uk

Estranged students are young people studying without the support and approval of a family network. Students in this position often have no contact at all with their family and may have removed themselves from a dysfunctional situation.

At Birmingham Newman we recognise that as an estranged student starting and studying at university, could be particularly challenging without the support of a family network – there may be concerns around accommodation and financial support. We are committed to supporting estranged students both prior to and for the duration of their studies.

We are aware that not every student who is estranged may want to access additional support, however for those that do, the following support is available.

A dedicated contact for estranged students

Birmingham Newman has a dedicated contact for estranged students who can offer tailored support prior to arrival and throughout your time at Birmingham Newman. If you have any questions about studying at Birmingham Newman and the support available, you can contact our Student Welfare Adviser Tammy Oyekanmi by emailing t.oyekanmi@newman.ac.uk

Pre entry support

We can offer you guidance from your first interest in applying for university right through to studying here. Please get in touch with our Student Welfare Adviser if you have any questions. All our support is optional and you can decide how much support you need at any stage.

HEADstart

Estranged students have a guaranteed acceptance onto HEADstart, our a preparatory course for new single, joint and combined honours students. The aim of HEADstart is to help you adapt to student life as quickly and smoothly as possible. HEADstart is delivered in the two weeks before Welcome Week.

When you arrive

If you choose to disclose your estranged status to Birmingham Newman to our estranged student contact, you will be contacted at the beginning of your first year with Birmingham Newman. Our Student Welfare Adviser will invite you to a meeting, either remotely or on campus, to explain the range of support that is available to you.

Accommodation

As an estranged student, you can apply for and access university accommodation for 365 days per year if you need it. For more details, get in touch with our Accommodation team.

Student Finance

Full-time undergraduate students can apply to Student Finance England for a tuition fee loan and a maintenance loan for general living costs. You may also have eligibility for additional support if you have children or a disability or long term health condition. Our Student Welfare Adviser is available to advise you about applying for student finance as an estranged student and can assist you to gather the supporting evidence you will need.

The Stand Alone Charity have produced an excellent guide with regards to applying to student finance as an estranged student. You may also want to check out this useful webpage from UCAS: Going it alone? Support for estranged students in higher education

Grant Funding

Our Student Welfare Adviser can also support you to apply for grants that you may be eligible for such as those listed below.

• If you are experiencing financial hardship you may be eligible for a grant through the

Birmingham Newman University Support Fund , which is administered through the University’s Finance Office.

• Buttle UK can also offer small grants to students aged 16-20 who are estranged from their family.
• There are also a number of charitable trusts and foundations who offer support to young people in full time education. Use the Turn2us website to search for different organisations that might be able to help.

Support on your course

Personal Tutors

All students at Birmingham Newman are allocated a personal tutor who is a single point of contact on your course, they can provide support and advice on academic issues as well signpost you to other support.

Student Support

Our Student Support team provides a wide range of services to ensure you make the most of your time with us. Our support services included Counselling and Mental Health, Welfare, Disability, Dyslexia and Academic Development.

If you would like further details on any of the information or support mentioned above, please email Tammy Oyekanmi our Student Welfare Adviser on t.oyekanmi@newman.ac.uk