Supporting your studies
Everyone needs a little help with their studies from time to time, whether you're a fresher taking your first steps into uni life or a seasoned student who knows your way around university, it could always be helpful to consider a personal academic tutor.
When you study with us, you can access extensive student support to help you during your course.
Here's an overview of the learning and academic support you'll get.
Your personal academic tutor
As well as access to subject experts such as professors and researchers on your course, you'll get a personal tutor.
Your personal university tutor gives you academic and personal support throughout your time here. If it's your first time at uni, your personal tutor helps you make the transition from school or college.
If necessary, they'll signpost you to academic and personal support services. They can support you with everything from writing essays, to dealing with homesickness, accessing funding and choosing your optional modules.
You'll meet with your personal tutor in scheduled group and one-to-one sessions. They're also available between sessions if you have urgent issues or concerns. You'll find out their availability and how to contact them during your first sessions.
Faculty learning support and development
If you're looking to develop your course-specific academic skills, you can get in touch with learning support and development tutors for help. Each faculty has a team of staff with the knowledge and expertise to give you the right support when you need it.
Our tutors at the University will help you improve your current skills or develop new skills relevant to your course. Some faculties support you with additional things, like impartial advice and extenuating circumstances.
Disability advice and support
If you have a disability, medical condition or learning difference such as dyslexia, you can get confidential advice and guidance from our Additional Support and Disability Advice Centre (ASDAC).
Services you can use include:
- Confidential advice from disability professionals
- Guidance on disability-related support costs and funding, including Disabled Students' Allowance
- Discussion on reasonable adjustments (e.g. exam arrangements)
- Referral to health professionals for diagnosis or obtaining diagnostic evidence
- Specialist study skills tuition
- Assistive technology tuition and guidance
- Liaison with external services and support (e.g. Autism Hampshire and Clear Links)
You can get support and guidance from ASDAC before you apply and during your studies.
Contact us any time, by email on asdac@port.ac.uk or by calling +44 (0)23 9284 3462.
Library support
To help you make the most of our library resources, you can get support from Library staff in person or by email, phone or online chat.
For instance, if the book you want is not in stock, it may be requested via the Interlibrary Loans Service. You can also ask for one-to-one appointments and get support from a librarian who specialises in your subject area.
You can also get information on topics such as referencing, reading lists and booking study rooms on the Library website.
The Library is open 24 hours a day, every day, in term time. You can find more detailed information on the Library opening hours page.
IT and computing help
Not a tech boffin? Don't worry – you can get help with all your computer issues face-to-face at the IT help centre in the Library, and by phone, email and online chat.
If you're studying late or over the weekend, you can get IT help 24 hours a day, every day of the week with our out-of-hours service.
You also have access to:
- Free Wi-Fi across all University buildings
- Laptops on short-term loan
- Computer suites with the latest specialised software and equipment
- Free Microsoft Office 365 download on your own devices and access to other essential software and apps such as Adobe Creative Cloud
- Open access areas, printing facilities and group working areas
Laboratory support
Qualified laboratory support staff work in most of our labs and practical spaces.
They'll support you in scheduled lab sessions and can give you one-to-one help during practical research projects.
Maths help
Struggling with a maths-related problem? Need a little help with stats? Want to improve your mathematics skills?
Whatever your area of study or level of maths knowledge, the Maths Café provides free advice and maths help in an informal environment. Come to our daily drop-in sessions, develop your maths skills at a workshop or use our online resources.
LinkedIn Learning
You'll get access to LinkedIn Learning – an online library of more than 15,000 courses, covering hundreds of skill areas. You can use it to develop your study skills and learn transferable skills to enhance your CV.
LinkedIn Learning usually costs £15–25 a month but it's free for all our students and staff.
Some of the most popular courses include Excel Essentials, Programming and Coding, Project Management, Data Analysis Software, Virtual Design Software, and Critical Thinking.
MyPort Hubs
If you need support but aren't sure who to contact, pop into one of our MyPort Hubs – part of a network of information centres across the campus.
As well as signposting you to the services you need, staff can help with common questions related to your course and the University.
Graduate School
Our Graduate School supports you to get the most out of your postgraduate research studies.
You'll get a supervisory team and a comprehensive induction so you can make best use of the academic tools and facilities on offer.
You can also use the Graduate School Development Programme. It includes workshops and special interest groups to help you develop your research skills.