Parents and supporters
Last updated: 22/01/2024 15:23
Useful information for those supporting new students as they prepare to start at university.
Preparing to leave home
Leaving for university can be a busy time, with lots to remember, so we've put together a checklist of key things to remember:
- Online enrolment – students receive the online enrolment email about three weeks before their programme starts. This is mandatory, as online enrolment allows students to collect their Student ID, receive their first student loan payment and attend any school induction activities once they’ve arrived.
- Arrival information – we’d advise students to check the specific arrival information for their halls of residence in the weeks leading up to moving in, as there may be deadlines or specific dates for them to collect keys and arrive on campus.
- What to bring – if living in university residences, students can check what is provided in their room before buying items and packing suitcases.
- Funding – has the student you’re supporting opened a student bank account and applied for Student Finance?
- Orientation – students get access to our online orientation programme in late August via their personal email address. Orientation includes important information about digital learning support, our Student Life services, as well as helpful tips on managing your mental health and meeting new people.
Key dates
Semester dates 2023/24
| Period | Start | Finish |
|---|---|---|
Enrolment week | Monday 25 September 2023 | Friday 29 September 2023 |
Autumn semester | Monday 2 October 2023 | Sunday 28 January 2024 |
Christmas recess | Monday 18 December 2023 | Sunday 7 January 2024 |
Examination period | Monday 15 January 2024 | Friday 26 January 2024 |
Spring semester | Monday 29 January 2024 | Friday 14 June 2024 |
Easter recess | Monday 25 March 2024 | Sunday 14 April 2024 |
Examination period | Monday 13 May 2024 | Friday 14 June 2024 |
Resit examination period | Monday 12 August 2024 | Friday 23 August 2024 |
Postgraduate, non-modular and health-related programmes may have alternative semester dates.
Other key dates
The deadline to amend Student Finance applications is 1 September. Read more information about student funding.
Support for students
This can be an anxious time for you as well as students, but we want to reassure you that our students will be supported throughout their time with us.
Our free, impartial and confidential support services are based in the Centre for Student Life. Whether students are looking for advice on money and budgeting, health and wellbeing support, or information about careers and employability, our Student Life teams are on hand to help.
With our 24-hour online services and extended opening hours, students can access the help they need, whenever they need it.
First year students will also have access to a student mentor from their academic school to help them with both academic and non-academic concerns. Mentors can give tips on using our various IT platforms, time management, using the libraries and useful life hacks on where to shop, eat and relax.
More information about our student support services.
Student data
You may be used to receiving academic information about the student you’re supporting, but as we welcome our new students to us as adults, we are unable to share any of their personal information without their consent.
Trusted contact
A trusted contact is someone the student nominates, whom they trust to handle sensitive information about them and the university can contact if there are serious concerns about a student’s health or wellbeing.
Read more about the university's policy on trusted contacts.