Since 2017 UWLSU Advice has run a drop-in service. This was in recognition that students have busy lives and require our service to accessible. This means that you can come and see us in person or phone us during the week at a time and location that suits you best, but it also means that we do not generally take bookings for appointments. This is to ensure fair access to our service and make sure that the waiting time to see an advisor is as short as possible.
At the St Mary’s Road Campus you can find us at the Students' Union in The Park Building or you can call our service during the drop-in times on 0208 231 2276 for a phone appointment.
When you call or come in to our service you will be added to our drop-in queue to see an advisor. If we are unable to take further drop-ins in the advice session, we will direct you to the next advice session. If you have an existing case with an advisor, we may ask you to email them so that they can respond to you that way during busy periods.
If you print off and complete this form before you attend a drop-in and bring it with you – it will help us to process your case more quickly.
What role does UWLSU Advice play in supporting me?
At UWLSU we understand that life can have its hiccups. Sometimes these hiccups can affect the way that you study. If you ever experience any difficulties on your course and need help, you can always access our free, confidential and supportive academic advice service.
We provide advice and guidance on how to go through processes at the University of West London. We are not involved in any part of the decision-making on your case as we are independent from the University.
Our job is to ensure you have the information and support you need to make informed choices about your case and to make sure that the University follows the appropriate regulations.
What can the advice service help me with?
- Extensions
- Mitigations
- Appeals
- Complaints about your student experience at UWL
- Academic Offences
- Fitness to Practice
- Understanding UWL’s other Academic Regulations
- Referrals/signposting to other services if appropriate
If another university department is in a better position to support your situation, we will signpost you to the right place. This will ensure that your questions can be answered and that you get the support you need.
How will I be treated by the advice service?
We, like the rest of the Students' Union, work on an equal opportunities basis, which means you can use the service knowing that you will be treated with respect regardless of race, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation and religious or political beliefs.
You can read our Service Standards Statement here.
We will treat your case confidentially and respect your privacy. You can read our privacy policy here.
We will ask you to do the following things:
- Register with our service via a client registration form – we will either give this to you or go over it with you on the phone
- Share information with us about your circumstances that will help us give you the right advice and access appropriate support
- Give us accurate information so that we can ensure our advice to you is accurate
- Communicate respectfully with our reception team and advisors
- Commit to taking actions that you have agreed with your advisor to resolve your case
What will happen during my appointment?
We will ask you to do the following things:
- Ask you about your circumstances and what you are hoping to get out of the appointment
- Give you options on how to proceed based on the information you have given and outline some steps for you to follow through on. explore available options with you
- If appropriate, signpost or refer you to other services which may be helpful and contact them directly if you give your advisor permission to do this
- Explain any deadlines that may relate to your case based on the information you give
- Agree what actions you will take and any actions they will take for you after the appointment
The advice and support we offer is confidential, independent, impartial, empowering and non-judgmental.We are independent from the university and act only on the students’ behalf.
What if you can't help or I need more support?
If we can’t help you with your query, or if we agree that you would benefit from further support from another service, we will either signpost or refer you during your drop-in appointment.
What if I need an emergency appointment?
If you need an emergency appointment, or the drop-in timetable really can’t work for you because of other commitments, we can offer occasional discretionary appointments at outside of these times. However you will need to call 0208 231 2276, email uwl.su@uwl.ac.uk or visit one of our reception desks at Paragon or St Mary’s Road if this is the case. We cannot always accommodate students immediately but will endeavour to if the situation is urgent.
I have accessibility requirements, can I get an appointment?
If you make UWLSU Advice aware at least 48 hours in advance that you require a pre-booked appointment to accommodate access requirements or unavoidable commitments which prevent you from attending the normal drop-in schedule, you may be booked in for an appointment of up to 1 hour in an available advisor’s diary.
What support services does the University offer?
We work closely with UWL’s Student Services as well as its Academic Support Team to support students. The University provides the following services to support you:
- Academic Support Team (for 1-2-1 and group session support on things like essay writing and time management)
- Student Services – Welfare Team
- Student Services – Wellbeing Team
- Student Services – Finance & Immigration Advice (Student Advice Team)
- Student Services – Careers Team
- Student Services – Placements & Employability Team
The School Administration Offices for course-related queries are located in the Heartspace at St Mary’s Road and the fourth floor at Paragon.
The Library Services Team can support you with things like referencing and using the library effectively.