"Student support staff are on hand throughout a student's time at BSMS, to help them achieve their full potential at the School whatever difficulties they may face. We offer advice and a supportive space for people facing a range of problems, whether personal, financial, or health-related, and can refer you on to expert services if needed. "
Sue Johnson, Student Support Coordinator
Medicine is a demanding course physically, intellectually and emotionally and during your five years here you may experience problems with which you need help. But there is no need to struggle alone.
The Medical School will do its best to provide you with a friendly, supportive environment in which to learn and develop – academically, professionally, socially and personally. BSMS has a student support team to ensure you receive all the help you need. Medical facilities and counselling services are also available.
So, if you encounter personal pressures such as family worries, social difficulties or study problems, you can seek help from a whole range of professionals. Short courses in relaxation, massage, yoga, study skills and counselling are also available.
Your academic tutor will be your academic advisor throughout your first two years, encouraging you to set your own learning goals and advising you on your academic progress. She or he will lead your weekly tutorials during term 1 and ensure that you develop the necessary study skills.
In year 3 you will be allocated a clinical academic tutor who will provide ongoing academic support. They will help you talk through the difficult clinical and ethical issues that every aspiring doctor will encounter, and if necessary, act as your advocate.
Our three student support coordinators are dedicated, non-academic staff available to each year of study, for you to discuss any problems that may affect you - personal issues, financial difficulties, health issues and more. They offer confidential listening and advice, and can help alleviate any impact on your studies. They can also identify specialist support if necessary, and put you in touch with other support services in the universities. Working closely with the academic Director and Deputy Director of Student Support, they ensure that students' welfare is addressed in all aspects of School life.
Clinical subdeans are on hand at each training hospital to provide you with advice and guidance during your year 5 clinical attachments away from the main medical school. Inevitably, a small minority of students will encounter difficulties they are unable to resolve or will find their studies interrupted by exceptional circumstances. In such an event, subdeans will liaise with the student support team.
Each year BSMS students elect student representatives. These are current students from all years who sit on key committees that influence life at BSMS and liaise with staff on their fellow students' behalf. Through these representatives, the views and concerns of students are heard and they can participate in the School's decision making.
The University of Brighton's Student Advice Service offers useful information and advice on applications for additional sources of income (Access to Learning Fund), advice on money management and debt counselling.
Read more about financial advice.
We welcome applications from students with disabilities. Services providing advice, guidance, and personal and academic support are available to you. These include individual and group learning support for students with dyslexia and specific learning difficulties.
Read more about disability support.
The universities' medical centres provide medical care under the NHS and there is also access to a dentist and pharmacist. All students are required to register with a local GP.
Welfare services offer information, advice and support on a range of welfare matters including financial, emotional, practical, benefits, academic and consumer issues.
Both universities' students' unions run a full range of political, environmental, leisure and social activities. They also offer a range of clubs and societies which represent, support and promote the interests of students from different faiths and backgrounds. Staff are also available who can offer trained advice and representation on issues from money and health to housing.
Read more about the University of Brighton Students' Union.
Read more about the University of Sussex Students' Union.
Read more about BSMS MedSoc.
The personal counselling services provide a safe, confidential environment for students to discuss worries and concerns with qualified and experienced counsellors.
Support and friendship are offered by the universities' chaplaincies which aim to help students – of any faith or none – to enjoy and enrich their time here. The chaplains organise group activities and worship, can put students in touch with interested groups and are also available for confidential advice or consultation.
Both university sites offer childcare provision. However, there is space for only limited numbers of children and places cannot be guaranteed, so crèche and nursery applications should be made at an early stage.
Read more about childcare at the University of Brighton.
Read more about childcare at the University of Sussex.
