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The Foundation Centre

Who to go to for help

Departmental Support

 

Foundation Academic Advisor

At the start of the programme, you will be allocated an advisor on the Foundation Programme by progression route.  Your Foundation Advisor is here to help you with any problems you may be facing with your studies or course.

 

Module Tutor

Any academic queries or problems which you may experience within a module should be discussed with the appropriate Module Tutor in the first instance.

 

Learning & Teaching Leader

Problems concerning attendance, withdrawals, changes of modules or degree progression routes should be discussed with your Learning and Teaching Leader or, in some cases, the Centre Director.

 

Student Representative(s)

The student representative(s) is/are chosen or elected by the student group during the first weeks of term.  They have four main tasks:

 

  • 1. to listen to any student concerns and take them to the appropriate forum;
  • 2. to represent students and their concerns at Foundation Centre Management committees;
  • 3. to be involved in organising the Staff Student Consultative Committee and to encourage students to attend;
  • 4. to encourage the planning of social activities for Foundation Centre students.

 

The exact role of the representative can vary greatly from year to year depending on the group of students, the nature of course concerns and the character and inclination of the representative elected.  DSU (Durham Students' Union) provides training and support for those undertaking the role of SSCC representative to make sure that this committee works effectively.

College Support

 

College Membership

All students studying at the University (regardless of whether they live on or off campus) are part of a college.  You will obtain membership to one of the Durham University colleges when you begin your course and will be issued with the appropriate College Handbook.  As well as creating a sense of community, your college will be able to provide support for issues which you may encounter during the year such as seeking a concession to vary a programme of study or submitting statements relating to mitigating circumstances.  Your college tutor or Senior Tutor will normally be able to provide this support.

 

College Mentor or Tutor

At the start of the year, you will be allocated a College Mentor or Tutor by your college. During the first few weeks of term, your College Mentor/Tutor will arrange to meet you.  They are here to help you with any queries you may have or problems which you may be experiencing - with the course, your college, accommodation, personal issues or anything more general.

 

Financial Problems

Financial problems can be a great barrier to success and are usually much easier to deal with sooner rather than later.  Please go directly to your College with any financial difficulties you may have.

University Support

 

DUSSD (Durham University Service for Students with Disabilities)

The DUSSD Adviser can advise you and organise special academic facilities if you have a disability and need some help. DUSSD will try to provide whatever support is necessary to enable you to study effectively and make full use of your opportunities at University. This help will be specific and appropriate to you and relevant to the courses you choose.   To contact DUSSD to arrange a formal assessment, please email disabilities.service@dur.ac.uk or telephone 0191 334 8115.

 

 

Counselling Service

The University operates a counselling service which offers a high standard of service in professional counselling for any student who finds that their difficulties are hard to manage, and/or that their difficulties are affecting their studies.   The Counselling service is based in Elvet Riverside and is open 9:00 - 12:30 and 1:30 - 4:30 Monday to Friday.  For more information, please visit the Counselling Service website: (http://www.dur.ac.uk/counselling.service/)

 

Careers Service

The staff at the Careers Service (located next to the DSU building on New Elvet) can provide a great deal of advice about future options after you have finished your degree.  For more information on the services available, please visit the Careers Service website: (http://www.dur.ac.uk/careers-advice/students/