Student Support

We are here to help and support you

When starting university, it is natural to feel overwhelmed or nervous. At the BCNO Group, we work hard to make sure every one of our students feel at home, so they can make the most of their time with us.

If you would like to talk to someone, Natalie Pipe, our Student Engagement and Welfare Officer, is your first point of contact for any welfare matters you may wish to talk about.

Support System

There is plenty of support available for both new and continuing students . Each academic year has its own Year Tutor, and every student has a Personal Tutor - someone who is assigned to a student within the first six weeks of the academic year.

There is also Student Peer Support, which acts as internal mechanism for students which students can access throughout the duration of the course. A number of professional counsellors are also employed for students who need to use them - all appointments are both free and confidential.

Those with special needs or disabilities can receive specialist support - we do our best to make any reasonable adjustment in order to support students with specific needs or disabilities during their course.

The Teaching Clinics can be used by students, free of charge, providing a senior clinical tutor has assessed and agreed the case. The clinical staff can also help students with advice on where to find specific care and support.

Student Assistance Programme

In partnership with Health Assured, the BCNO Group provides all students with complimentary access to an enhanced Student Assistance Programme. It is a confidential student benefit designed to help you deal with personal and professional problems that could be affecting your home or student life, health and/ or general well-being.

Health Assured offers coverage for you for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Services available include life support; legal information; bereavement support; medical information and CBT online.

The programme comes with a ‘My Healthy Advantage’ Smartphone App, available for iOS and Android devices. Through this app, you will have access to a range of features, all aimed at improving your health and well-being, including:

  • A weekly mood tracker
  • Mini health checks
  • Four-week plans aimed at improving your health
  • Wellbeing articles

In addition to offering counselling support and advice, we also offer a Wellbeing Portal, which is a virtual library of well-being information.

The portal offers:

  • Interactive health assessments providing personal tailor-made dietary tips and fitness plans
  • Fitness and lifestyle advice
  • Four-week self-help programmes
  • Mini health checks
  • Financial well-being articles

Our students gain access to these services during their induction.