Welfare and Support

Tutors, Course Co-ordinators and the IEC office team have an open door policy. This means you are welcome to come and see us during office hours if you have questions or need any help or support. If we cannot see you immediately, we will arrange an appointment with you.

Students on Foundation, Target and Pre-sessional courses will meet regularly with their personal tutors. Your personal tutor can support both your learning and adjustment to a new living situation and culture.  

Your tutor will work with you to monitor your academic progress, consider your learning needs and help you plan your independent study. If you experience difficulties or problems, your personal tutor is here to listen and to direct you towards further help if necessary. 

The IEC has robust and detailed Safeguarding Procedures to ensure the safety and well-being of all its students.

Students who are aged under 18 when they begin their course with IEC will receive additional care. Both they and their parents must understand and accept the IEC’s under-18s agreement (download here) and the rules for the under 18s (download here) to ensure that they are safe while enjoying their time in Aberystwyth.

The UKVI U18s letter  must be completed by the parents/legal guardians of any student under the age of 18.  The completed letter must be presented to the UKVI as part of any Tier 4 visa application for a student under the age of 18.

All IEC students have access to:

•  24/7 phone number to contact IEC Staff in case of an emergency 

•  24/7 Site Security across the campus 

• 24/7 safety & security systems in all student accommodation and individual student bedrooms 

• First Aid trained members of staff within the IEC, and on-call across the university campus, including in accommodation 

• an IEC “Contact Card”, issued at registration, with useful contact details for the IEC, the University and emergency services in the UK 

In addition to the support listed above, if students are under 18 when they start a course then we will give them extra help and support: 

• All students who are under 18 will have an additional introductory safeguarding session with an IEC Welfare Tutor. The Welfare Tutor will talk through and explain the IEC’s under 18 Rules  

• All students under 18 must understand and follow the IEC Under 18 Rules. Students might be sent home if they do not follow these rules 

• Students who are under 18 must attend every class. If they do not come to class we will contact them. Students who are under 18 must let us know why they are not in class. A member of the IEC Safeguarding Team may visit the student in the middle of the day if they are ill to check on the students’ well-being 

• Students who are under 18 must have a phone that is switched on and charged when they are not in class. This allows IEC staff to contact them 

• If an under 18 student leaves Aberystwyth for any reason, they must always inform the Welfare Tutor and Office team so that the IEC knows where they are at all times.  They must also complete the IEC Holiday Form 

• During their course, students who are under 18 will receive pastoral care with an IEC  Welfare Tutor 

• The Safeguarding Team in the IEC meet regularly to discuss updates on safety and other issues that might have arisen. A designated Welfare Tutor is the dedicated contact for parents to contact if they have any questions or worries about their child 

• End of semester reports will be copied to parents until their child turns 18 

The International English Centre offers language and study support for all international students and to improve upon their academic English skills. 

1:1 consultation: open to all undergraduate and postgraduate students whose first language is not English, or who are relatively inexperienced in studying through the medium of English. You can meet with an English Language Tutor to gain advice and guidance on the use of English for academic tasks such as written assignments and presentations. 

These 50-minute sessions are by appointment only. Please contact tesol@aber.ac.uk to arrange an appointment.  

Academic Writing sessions: available to undergraduate and postgraduate students to help develop and improve your writing skills. 

Session dates and times are below:  

For more information about the 1:1 sessions or Academic Writing, visit the language support webpage. 

The University provides a Faith Space, available to all students for prayer and quiet contemplation.

Visa and Immigration Support: the International Student Advisor can provide advice and support for international students on a range of issues. For help, please contact the International Student Advisor.

Wellbeing support: the wellbeing service is intended to help you develop the skills to take responsibility for your own well-being and manage your life at University successfully.

Residential Support: if you are staying in university halls of residence there is 24-hour support available.

• 24/7 support from the Site Security service (e.g. – if you are locked out of your flat, have problems with a neighbour)
• Report a problem in your room or flat (e.g. – if your accommodation needs repair or maintenance work)

See the full range of support available for all students at Aberystwyth University, including those with disabilities or learning differences.

The University offers a Wellbeing Service. This service is open to all students, and is intended to help them develop the skills to take responsibility for their own well-being and to manage their lives at University successfully.