Accommodation
There are a range of residences to suit individual preferences and budgets.
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We offer support, guidance and information
Our Student Services team offer support to students whether it’s academic or personal. Student Services are available to all students, all Schools and all years and our advisors will be happy to help you with any questions or queries. View our advice below and if you’re a student you can also find additional support and resources on the libguides site.
Living Costs
Maintaining a stress-free and planned budget is one of the key things to a happy university experience.
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Urgent Help 
Medical Help
In an emergency go straight to your nearest Accident and Emergency department or call the Emergency Services on 999.
If you need immediate medical help, please contact your doctor’s surgery and request an emergency appointment.
If your doctor’s surgery is not open, you can contact the NHS on 111, free of charge, for advice or medical help for non-life-threatening situations. NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, calls are free from landlines and mobile phones.
Mental Health Support
The University Retreat
The University retreat is a drop-in service for students from AECC, BU and AUB who are struggling to cope with life or feel themselves approaching a crisis point. You don’t need an appointment, just come as you are and speak to one of our compassionate team members.
This service is a collaboration between BU, Arts University Bournemouth (AUB), AECC University College, Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust, Dorset Mental Health Forum and BCHA (Bournemouth Churches Housing Association).
- We can offer self-management advice that helps you find a solution in a safe and welcoming environment.
- Location: Tolpuddle Annex 2, Talbot Campus
- Opening days/times: Monday to Saturday, 2pm – 9pm
- You can also visit The Retreat in Hahnemann House in Bournemouth centre or call Connection on 0800 652 0190.
Phone Support
To speak to someone in confidence, the Samaritans are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Phone: 116 123 (free from mobiles and landlines)
Email: jo@samaritans.org
Web: www.samaritans.org
Text Support
You can text STUDENT to 85258 for free text mental health support from Shout.
Support for bereavement
Dorset Open Door supports people who have been bereaved or affected by a death where the cause may be suicide or be particularly traumatic or sudden. They also offer support to those who are bereaved by COVID-19.
For further sources of outside of office hours support, please see the Student Support LibGuide.
Where to Find Us
The Student Services Team are located on the ground floor of the main building, in the left corridor from the main stairs.
What3Words: You can also find us with what3words the free app and desktop map that gives a map location as accurate as three square meters. Our what3words address is: Duke.Shave.Supply
Student Services include:
- Academic support
- Personal support
- Financial support
- Medical care
- Advice on practical issues
Find out more about our range of student support services below and for more detailed information, including links to a range of support agencies you can visit our dedicated Library and Support Services website.
Advice and Appointments
To book an appointment for any of the specialist services offered by Student Services, including academic and personal support, counselling and international student advice:
- Drop us email here: studentservices@aecc.ac.uk or call: 01202 436359
- Along with booking appointments for specialist services your Student Services Adviser can offer advice and guidance on practical issues including accommodation, student loans and funding, and local services such as travel and transport, health and community services.
Academic Support
Developing academic skills
Studying at university level can be daunting – not only is it about studying at a higher level, the way in which you study is very different to school or college. At university, study is much more self-directed and you will be expected to manage your study workload independently. Student Services can offer you support with developing your academic skills.
Study skills
Any student can meet with our Study Skills tutor for an individual tutorial to help you develop the academic skills for studying at university. The tutor can offer advice and guidance with planning and structuring your written work, preparing for presentations, and organising your time.
English for Academic Purposes
You may understand the terminology and be competent in discussions with colleagues but much of your time as a health professional will be spent talking to patients in situations where you need to be able to explain medical conditions and treatments in words everyone can understand. If English is not your first language AECC University College has an English for Academic Purposes (EAP) lecturer to help you develop the language and study skills you will need to succeed in your academic coursework and clinical practice.
Financial Support
To book an appointment for a financial assessment with a Student Finance Adviser, please email studentservices@aecc.ac.uk.
Student Support Fund
The Student Support Fund is open to help students finance essential costs that are currently unaffordable to them, and runs throughout the academic year. It will remain open until funds are depleted. The Support Fund Policy, which includes information on how to apply to the fund, is available for download below:
Emergency Fund
The Emergency Fund is designed to help resolve urgent financial crises, and is also available and operates throughout the academic year for students. For more information, please consult the policy document below:
International Emergency Fund
The International Emergency Fund operates in tandem with the above fund, but specifically designed to help non-UK students with similar immediate financial issues that need resolving urgently. The link below contains the policy information regarding this fund:
Personal support
Wellbeing
AECC University College has a Wellbeing Adviser who can offer practical support and guidance if you are experiencing difficulties and can provide confidential support and advice on a range of issues such as stress, depression, anxiety, drug and alcohol problems, and eating disorders. The Wellbeing Adviser can provide guidance on a number of strategies which can help you improve your wellbeing, resulting in a more productive and enjoyable time with us.
Counselling
Our professional counselling service offers the opportunity to talk to someone who has no other role in your life (someone who is not a tutor, friend or relation). Dedicated to helping you find new perspectives and build emotional resilience, counselling is the chance to talk to someone who will not judge or criticise you, in a supportive and confidential setting. Our counsellors work in accordance with the BACP Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions.
Medical care
We recommend that you register with a local doctor’s surgery as soon as you arrive.
If you are an International or EU student we recommend you read UKCISA’s advice on how the UK medical system works and how to make sure you are covered during your studies.
The GP surgeries closest to AECC University College are:
Shelley Manor Medical Practice:
Beechwood Avenue, Bournemouth BH5 1LX
Tel: 01202 309421
Beaufort Road Surgery:
21 Beaufort Road, Bournemouth BH6 5AJ
Tel: 01202 433081
If you need immediate medical attention but it is not an emergency, visit Royal Bournemouth Hospital Accident and Emergency department:
Castle Lane, Bournemouth
Tel: 01202 704167 or Main switchboard: 01202 303626
For medical advice, contact the NHS, Tel: 111 or visit their website.
Looking for more support?
Find out more about our Library & Learning Services, they can support your studies with our mix of friendly staff, specialist library, e-learning materials and technical support.
Latest News
Discover and read all the latest news, press releases and happenings here at AECC University College.
On Thursday 23rd May 2024, AECC University College will be inviting students, staff, alumni and members of the public to attend an evening lecture by Professor Richard Brown.
Brooke Ironside, age 20, is currently ranked third in Europe for the under 23 years 200 metres. She tells us how she juggles studying with training in her own words…
Stephen Bradley recently visited Clinical and Rehabilitation Services at AECC University College for a scan in our Open Upright MRI scanner.
The AECC School of Chiropractic is delighted to announce that its Master of Chiropractic (Hons) is the first Chiropractic course to meet the new Education Standards recently introduced by the General Chiropractic Council.
On Wednesday 20th March, we held our first AECC University College Student Engagement Conference. The theme for the day was ‘Sharing Best Practice in Student Engagement’ and all students and staff were welcome to be a part of it.
We recently caught up with Danny Nguyen, one of our international final year chiropractic students studying the Master of Chiropractic MChiro course. We hear how Danny became interested in this course and why he enjoys studying with a rich blend of student-life at AECC University College.
