Being a postgrad student can be very stressful, whether that’s moving into new accommodation, getting to grips with a new university campus, becoming used to postgrad study and research, or just simply finding your feet. Here at the SU, we’re here to help you along your way, supporting you in any way you need (if at all). On this page you’ll find a load of advice on PG life, both academic and not, and where to go if you need further support.
Transitioning to PG Life
Advice & Welfare
PG Top Tips
The Graduate School
PG Officer Blog
Housing Advice
Warwick as a postgraduate student can be very different from being at Warwick as an undergrad. If you’re making the transition, or if you’re new to Warwick, take some time to get to grips with the changes, both in your academic life and beyond. Here’s some handy tips to get you started:
- Make use of the support offered at the start of your course. Over Welcome Week, there will be many sessions on working with your supervisor, learning research methods, and meeting your academic department – so make use of these opportunities
- Get to know people in your accommodation and on your course. Postgrad students are often more isolated than undergrads due to their nature of their work and research, so try to reach out to people where you can to make friends and build support networks.
- Don’t worry about socialising differently. The postgrad population is often a lot older and more diverse than then undergrad one, so don’t worry if you feel out of place going on club nights! We have a lot of social events on for postgrads – such as the PG Quiz, Craft Tea, and wellbeing hours – where you can socialise with people of your own age (and not feel old!)
- You’re here all year. Postgrad term dates do not follow undergrad ones, so try and get used to being here over vacation periods – especially the summer. The SU puts on loads of events during these periods so you don’t feel lonely or isolated.
- Check where you can get support before things go wrong. Postgrad study is hard and challenging, so try and identify where you can get support. These may be in places like your Personal Tutor or Academic Department, in a club or society you decide to join, or the SU Advice Centre.
- There are spaces especially for postgrads on campus. And you can find out more about them on our PG Spaces page.
Your physical and mental health is more important than your degree, so prioritise staying healthy and happy.
The University and SU are here to support you during your time at the university and can offer advice on a wide range of health and welfare issues. There is a Health Centre and pharmacy on campus, while Wellbeing Support Services are available for your welfare and to support students with disabilities.
The NHS is also here for your mental and physical health. It is free at the point of use for all, but don’t forget to register at the Health Centre on campus or with a local surgery! See the ‘PG Top Tips’ section for more info.
If you are struggling with any health and welfare issues, it is a good idea to inform the university so that they can support you and have a record in the event of an appeal process or if you need time away from your course.
Nightline is a student-run, confidential, and non-judgemental peer-to-peer support listening service which is only a call away on 02476 522 199. If you require emergency support, contact the Campus Security Control Centre on 024 7652 2222 or internally on 22222.
Most importantly, if you are struggling, you need to tell someone so that we can help you. The first step in admitting you need help is often the hardest!
Students’ Union Advice Centre
Our Advice Centre is independent from the University, and offers a free and confidential service for all Warwick students. Whether your worry is big or small, or you just don’t know who to speak to, our experienced team will be able to either help answer your question or signpost you to someone else. Our most common types of enquiries are about:
- Academic appeals
- Advice for international students
- Complaints and disciplinary proceedings
- Funding and finances
- Housing and accommodation
- Personal wellbeing
- University-related problems
For more information, visit Help & Support.
Written by PG students, here are some handy tips that will help you settle into and thrive at Warwick a little bit better.
- The main two companies that provide a regular bus service to the university are National Express and Stagecoach. If you’re living in Coventry or Kenilworth, National Express is best, while Stagecoach provides a more frequent service if you’re living in Leamington Spa. Check out their websites for more info or download the apps!
- Group tickets can save you money even if you’re travelling with just one other person!
- Parking is hard to find on campus, but if you’re determined to drive in, your chances are better before 9am.
- Parking is pay and display, but Postgraduate Researchers can get a permit from carparking@warwick.ac.uk/
- Coventry station is a 15-20 minute bus ride away on the 12x service from campus, while Canley station (the next stop along on the Birmingham line) is around 30 minutes’ walk from campus. You can connect to Birmingham New Street (a 25-30 minute journey) via either Coventry or Canley.
- Leamington Train Station is a 5-10 minute walk away from the bottom of the main high street (‘The Parade’) on the 11, U1 or U2 routes. From here, you can connect to Birmingham Moor Street within 30 minutes.
- Apply for campus accommodation as soon as the application process open (usually in early June).
- The application deadline for campus accommodation is always July 31st.
- On-campus accommodation options for postgrads are Benefactors, Claycroft, Heronbank, Lakeside, Westwood and Whitefields. There are also over 400 properties in the local area (including City Village and Liberty Park in Coventry).
- Make sure you prioritise your accommodation options carefully, as the allocation is based on your rating.
- Don’t hesitate to contact Student Reception for any further questions - they are always willing to answer any question you may have!
- The majority of the student population lives off-campus, so don’t worry if you don’t get on-campus accommodation!
- If your first choices are off-campus accommodation, make sure you indicate whether you’d rather live with undergrads or postgrads.
- Attend the PG Accommodation Sessions during Welcome Week if you require any additional advice or assistance.
- You are still a student, so you don’t need to pay council tax!
- The Advice Centre can support you with checking contracts or any issues you have with housing.
- If you’re looking for housemates or somewhere to live, we have a facebook page dedicated to it!
Registering with a doctor / GP
If you live on campus, you are eligible to register as a patient at the Health Centre, which is just a 2-3 minute walk from the SU on central campus. It is free to register online at uwhc.org.uk/ (though international students who don’t usually live in the UK may need to pay for additional NHS treatment received outside of the GP practice). Please note that you aren’t able to use the practice’s services, make appointments or order prescriptions if you’re not registered as a patient there, so we strongly recommend that you do so!
Please visit the Health Centre’s website for more information, together with info about advisable vaccinations to get before arriving. There is also a pharmacy based on campus in the SU Atrium, with another at the nearby Cannon Park shopping centre.
- The Main Library has individual and group study spaces, including silent study areas and is open 24 hours a day (excluding public holidays).
- 4 Learning Grids are available on and off-campus: one in University House and in the Rootes Building, one just for BioMed students in the Warwick Medical School, and one in Leamington (Town Hall). Additional study space reserved for PGs (taught) is available in the PG Hub in Senate House.
- The Wolfson Research Exchange in the Library is available to PG (research) students
- Due to high demand, you might want to book a room or desk in advance. You can do so on the Library website: warwick.ac.uk/services/library/using/libspaces
- Some departments have common rooms for a more relaxed study space.
- Be sure to top up funds on your Eating@Warwick account to get a student discount at food and drink spaces across campus.
- You can check the remaining funds available in your account after each transaction on the MyWarwick app.
- A variety of restaurants are provided on campus such as Fusion, Café Library, Xananas, The Bread Oven, The Dirty Duck, The Graduate, University House, Café Gibbet Hill and WBS Café.
- Café and bar spaces are also available on campus, including Café Oculus, Curiositea, H Van, Costa, The Terrace Bar, Café Humanities, Library Café and Red Rocket.
- Every last Wednesday of the month, a vibrant mix of mouthwatering street food stands are offered on the Piazza and Benefactors Place!
- Rootes Grocery Store has hot food and groceries, while Cannon Park is only a 10-minute walk away for access to a variety of shops and supermarkets.
- The University has an excellent Careers & Skills service with a wealth of resources and advice for you to tap into. They run regular events, talks and workshops on a wide range of industries, as well as offering one-to-one support and advice on CVs, job applications and future career paths.
- Warwick SU runs the annual Interdisciplinary Postgraduate Conference (IPC), which gives postgrad students an excellent chance to present their research in an informal setting. There are also plenty of opportunities throughout the year to improve your academic skills with workshop programmes run by Careers & Skills and the SU.
- The Postgrad Hub (the PG study space in the library) has a mentoring programme for support throughout your studies. You can both use these services for any advice you need, or apply to become a mentor yourself.
- Shop around, as your closest grocery store isn’t likely to be the cheapest near you!
- You can still get student discounts as a postgrad using your student card, or you can buy a TOTUM Card to access even more discounts.
- Before buying course books, check out the library and online resources. The university also provides lots of software.
- Take advantage of taster sessions in societies, sports and local activities before you commit to spending money.
- Use your student card to pay at outlets on campus for discounts through Eating@Warwick.
- Some departments provide free printing, while printer credits can be bought online or through the MyWarwick app.
The Graduate School at Warwick is the main support for postgraduate study and research. They support student development, your student experience at Warwick, and your academic work. If you have any problems, do contact them here https://warwick.ac.uk/services/academicoffice/gsp/
Each student officer has a blog to let you know about their current work. You can view the blog of your existing Postgraduate Officer here.
The Student Advice Centre can help with various aspects of housing including house-hunting, checking tenancy agreements, repairs, recovering deposits and security. Click here to view housing advice on the help and support pages.