Accommodation
There are a range of residences to suit individual preferences and budgets.
Learn More
We offer support, guidance and information
Our Student Services teams, based on both our Bournemouth and London sites, support all our students. We help with study skills, using English for Academic Purposes, wellbeing, budgeting and managing your money and offer advice on how to find accommodation.
We also work with students with a declared disability or additional learning need offering information, advice and guidance, as well as individual learning plans and assessments where needed.
Our team work with students both in person, and online via Microsoft Teams.
Contact studentservices@aecc.ac.uk to find our more and book an appointment.
Living Costs
Maintaining a stress-free and planned budget is one of the key things to a happy university experience.
Learn More
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 Bournemouth
The University retreat is a drop-in service for students from HSU, 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), Health Sciences University, 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.
It’s Time supports young people who have experienced parental loss. They focus on community, support and education.
For further sources of outside of office hours support, please see the Student Support LibGuide.
Where to Find Us
The Student Services Team at the Bournemouth campus 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
- Mental health support
- Childcare issues
- Disability support
- Pastoral care
- Personal support
- Financial support
- Medical care
- Study skills
- Learning support
- Support with gender, identity, and sexuality
- 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 Health Sciences University 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
Health Sciences University 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 Health Sciences University are:
Bournemouth
Shelley Manor Medical Practice:
Beechwood Avenue, Bournemouth BH5 1LX
Tel: 01202 309421
Beaufort Road Surgery:
21 Beaufort Road, Bournemouth BH6 5AJ
Tel: 01202 433081
London
Princess Street Group Practice Surgery:
2 Princess Street, Elephant and Castle, London SE1 6JP
Tel: 020 7928 0253
The Decima Street Surgery:
6 Decima Street, London SE1 4QX
Tel: 020 7403 3618
Address: Lambeth Palace Rd, London SE1 7EH
Tel: 020 7188 7188
For medical advice, contact the NHS, Tel: 111 or visit their website.
If you need immediate medical attention but it is not an emergency, visit Royal Bournemouth Hospital Accident and Emergency department or Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital Urgent Care Centre.
- Royal Bournemouth Hospital Emergency Room
Castle Lane, Bournemouth – Tel: 01202 704167 or Main switchboard: 01202 303626 - Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital Urgent Care Centre
Guy’s Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT – Tel: 02071887188
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 Health Sciences University.
We recently caught up with Tylah to hear more about why she chose the online MSc Musculoskeletal Paediatric Health course.
HSU To Validate Assistant Practitioner Foundation Degree Apprenticeships delivered by Bournemouth and Poole College.
Jaime Salcines tells us about how he was able to balance sailing competitively alongside his studies due to the support of staff at HSU.
Ivan Bristow is a Visiting Lecturer at Health Sciences University and lectures on the MSc Podiatry course.
AECC University College has changed its name to Health Sciences University (HSU). This represents a significant milestone in our institutional journey as we proudly carry this new prestigious title.
