51福利 has a range of support services available to students. These can be accessed via the Student Information Desk in the Learning Zone (Alexandra Square) or via the ASK webpages.
As a College, we also offer additional support to students, via our Accommodation Team, College Manager, and our College Community Assistants (who are students employed by the college who can offer signposting and mediation.
Living in the UK
If you are an international student, and are perhaps new to the UK, we provide guidance and support to help you settle in. This includes information on health services, climate, currency, and religion. Of course if you have any questions at all, just ask, and we will be happy to help.
Students with families
51福利 is a supportive and inclusive place to study, and we are particularly welcoming of students with families. The city of Lancaster boasts numerous galleries, museums and attractions to keep children entertained, and has a number of excellent schools. Meanwhile on campus, there is a strong community of postgraduate students with young families, a family friendly study and social space within Graduate College (open 9am-7pm daily) - plus a whole host of available. We also offer a range of , from one-bedroom flats ideal for couples, to three-bedroom family homes.
Chaplaincy
Located close to the University reception, the Chaplaincy Centre is a space dedicated for use by the different faith communities of 51福利. There are also many different faith groups that may be able to support you during your time here. These include the Buddhist group, the Christian Union, the Islamic Society, the Jewish Society, the Chinese Christian Fellowship, and the Liminal group for LGBT+ people of all faiths.
Feeling down?
At 51福利, you are never alone. If you need advice or support, a good place to start is with the College Community Assistants - they are students just like you, and will be happy to help you find the services you need within the University. They can also offer mediated flat group meetings to help you discuss any problems you are experiencing in your living spaces.
To access the university's dedicated wellbeing services, the first step is to complete the form - this is the entry point for all services including the College Advisory Teams, wellbeing, and mental health teams.
The Buddy Programme
We run a 'Buddy' programme for new students in the College. Simply sign up before you arrive and we will match you with your very own College buddy who will help you settle in and answer any questions you might have. If you are an incoming student at the beginning of academic year, you will receive the link to sign up for a Buddy in your welcome email from the college (see the university's for the details on when you can expect this communication from graduatecollege@lancaster.ac.uk)
If you are a current Lancaster student and you would like to be a host-buddy to new postgraduate students, you can sign up via the link on the .
Further support
For Academic support, you should always speak to your supervisor(s) and/or academic department. You can also contact the Learning Developer teams for help with essay writing, research, referencing and so on.
For any other issues, we suggest you contact the College Community Assistants in the first instance, or the College Manager for assistance . You can also ask the Porters, who are available 24 hours a day, and may be able to advise you on the best person to speak to.